title: Serum maternal hepcidin levels 3 days after delivery are higher compared to those measured at parturition.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Our aim was to investigate the levels of hepcidin at parturition and 3 days after delivery and to relate hepcidin levels to parameters of iron homeostasis.
  
  
  METHODS
  We measured hepcidin levels with mass spectrometry in serum samples of 38 term pregnant women taken just prior to and 3 days after vaginal delivery (n = 23) or cesarean section (CS) (n = 15). Hepcidin levels were related to iron homeostasis parameters and interleukin (IL)-6 levels. Parameters measured before and after delivery were compared with the Wilcoxon test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum iron levels (median, interquartile range) decreased (14.3, 9.6-21.1 vs. 8.9, 6.8-11.5 µmol/L, P < 0.01), while hepcidin levels increased (2.73, 2.2-3.45 vs. 10.62, 6.70-15.89 µg/L, P < 0.01) by the third day after parturition compared to those measured before delivery. IL-6 levels were comparable before and after delivery. No direct association between serum hepcidin and iron homeostasis parameters or IL-6 levels was found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Factors triggering hepcidin synthesis dominate 3 days after delivery. Studies are needed to assess the contribution of hepcidin to iron homeostasis during the periparturition period.
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Uzsoki Hospital, Hungary.
authors: Béla
authors: B
authors: Gyarmati
authors: Eszter
authors: E
authors: Szabó
authors: Balázs
authors: B
authors: Szalay
authors: Noémi
authors: N
authors: Czuczy
authors: Gergely
authors: G
authors: Toldi
authors: Aron
authors: A
authors: Cseh
authors: Barna
authors: B
authors: Vásárhelyi
authors: Zoltán
authors: Z
authors: Takáts
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D064451:Hepcidins; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood; D036801:Parturition / Q000097:blood*; D058725:Peripartum Period / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy
chemical_list: D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; C578702:HAMP protein, human; D064451:Hepcidins; D015850:Interleukin-6; D007501:Iron