title: Serum ferritin level as a marker of preterm labor.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the serum ferritin levels in women with preterm labor (PTL) or preterm premature rupture of membranes with those in normal gravid women.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study group consisted of 50 consecutive subjects with preterm labor and 49 subjects with preterm premature rupture of membranes (PROM). The control group consisted of 50 subjects matched with the study group for hemoglobin (Hb) and gestation who did not have PTL or preterm PROM. Serum ferritin levels were assayed in both the groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean serum ferritin levels in patients with preterm labor and preterm premature rupture of membranes were 23.24+/-12.13 ng/ml and 29.44+/-28.41 ng/ml, respectively. The mean serum ferritin in control subjects was 8.69+/-3.7 ng/ml. The difference was evaluated by Student's t-test and was found to be statistically significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The serum ferritin level is significantly raised in pregnant women with preterm labor and preterm PROM.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: C K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Saha
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Jain
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Varma
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood*; D005322:Premature Rupture of Fetal Membranes / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D005293:Ferritins