Relation between Serum Ferritin and Iron Parameters with Preeclampsia

Abstract

Background: Serum ferritin level changes during pregnancy with advancing gestation and reaches the minimum in the third trimester. It is the single best non invasive test and is a very useful reliable index of iron stores especially during pregnancy with low level indicating iron deficiency. Iron stores are elevated in pregnancy in association with certain obstetric complications as preterm delivery, preeclampsia and gestational diabetes.

Objective: To compare the serum ferritin level and iron parameters in pregnant women suffering from mild and severe preeclampsia with healthy pregnant women.

Methods: A case control study was conducted at the department of obstetrics and gynecology at Al-Yarmouk teaching hospital for a period of one year (from December 2009 to December 2010). The study included 100 pregnant women; fifty preeclamptic patients who were admitted to the obstetric ward and fifty healthy pregnant control group. Serum ferritin level, serum iron, total iron binding capacity and packed cell volume were measured.

Results: The mean serum ferritin level was significantly higher in preeclamptic group comparing to the control group and the increment was more as the severity of preeclampsia increased. There was no significant difference in mean serum iron level. The total iron binding capacity was significantly lower in preeclamptic group as compared to the control group. Hematocrit level was significantly higher in preeclampsia and the increment was more as the severity increased

Conclusion: Serum ferritin level was found to be elevated in preeclamptic group as compared with healthy pregnant group and the increment was directly associated with the severity of preeclampsia. Keywords: Preeclampsia, Ferritin, Total iron binding capacity, Hematocrit.