Study of maternal influences on fetal iron status at term using cord blood transferrin receptors.
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.
Sweet
D G
DG
Department of Child Health, The Queen's University of Belfast and Regional Neonatal Unit, Royal Maternity Hospital, Belfast, UK. dsweet@dnet.co.uk
Savage
G
G
Tubman
T R
TR
Lappin
T R
TR
Halliday
H L
HL
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
D005296:Ferrous Compounds; D006454:Hemoglobins; D011990:Receptors, Transferrin; D005293:Ferritins