Hepcidin and erythropoietin measurements in the cord blood of neonates with meconium-stained amniotic fluid.
OBJECTIVE
To compare hepcidin and erythropoietin levels in the cord blood of neonates with meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) to levels obtained from age-, body mass index- and gravidity-matched neonates with clear amniotic fluid.


METHODS
A cross-sectional controlled study was conducted in secondary and tertiary care centers. Cord blood samples of 40 neonates following term gestations (≥37 weeks' gestation) with MSAF and 40 maternal age-, body mass index- and gravidity-matched controls with clear amniotic fluid were analyzed in this study. Demographic data, delivery outcomes and laboratory evaluations were recorded.


RESULTS
Cord blood pH levels were lower in fetuses with MSAF when compared to those with clear amniotic fluid (P=0.0001). Fetuses with MSAF had higher cord blood erythropoietin levels in comparison to those with clear amniotic fluid (P=0.0001). Delivery outcomes and hepcidin measurements were similar in both groups.


CONCLUSIONS
We demonstrated a significant relationship between erythropoietin levels and meconium passage, but failed to show the existence of a relationship between hepcidin levels and meconium passage.
Department of Perinatology, Zekai Tahir Burak Women's Education and Research Hospital             Department of Hematology, Ankara Children's Hospital             Department of Biochemistry, Ankara Numune Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
Ozlem
O
Gun Eryilmaz
Betul
B
Tavil
Serpil
S
Turan
Omer
O
Yumusak
Melike
M
Doganay
Ozlem
O
Uzunlar
Serra
S
Akar
Elif Gul
EG
Eyi
D000653:Amniotic Fluid; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D064451:Hepcidins / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008470:Meconium
D064451:Hepcidins; D004921:Erythropoietin