title: Study of maternal influences on fetal iron status at term using cord blood transferrin receptors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine effects of maternal iron depletion and smoking on iron status of term babies using serum transferrin receptors (STfR) and their ratio to ferritin (TfR-F index) in cord blood.
  
  
  METHODS
  Iron, ferritin, STfR, and haemoglobin (Hb) concentration were measured and TfR-F index calculated in 67 cord /maternal blood pairs. Twenty six mothers were iron depleted (ferritin <10 microg/l) and 28 were smokers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Maternal iron depletion was associated with decreased cord ferritin (113 v 171 microg/l) and Hb (156 v 168 g/l) but no change in STfR or TfR-F index. Smoking was associated with increased cord Hb (168 v 157 g/l) and TfR-F index (4.1 v 3.4), and decreased ferritin (123 v 190 microg/l). Cord TfR-F index and Hb were positively correlated (r = 0.48).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Maternal iron depletion is associated with reduced fetal iron stores but no change in free iron availability. Smoking is associated with increased fetal iron requirements for erythropoiesis.
authors: Department of Child Health, The Queen's University of Belfast and Regional Neonatal Unit, Royal Maternity Hospital, Belfast, UK. dsweet@dnet.co.uk
authors: D G
authors: DG
authors: Sweet
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Savage
authors: T R
authors: TR
authors: Tubman
authors: T R
authors: TR
authors: Lappin
authors: H L
authors: HL
authors: Halliday
mesh_terms: D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood*; D005296:Ferrous Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry*; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D015592:Immunoradiometric Assay; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011990:Receptors, Transferrin / Q000032:analysis*; D012907:Smoking; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
chemical_list: D005296:Ferrous Compounds; D006454:Hemoglobins; D011990:Receptors, Transferrin; D005293:Ferritins