ISSN 2997-1036
International Journal of Hematology | Vol. 4, No. 10, October 2013 | pp. 73–80
DOI: 10.46882/2013/IJH/000046
Original Article
Title: Serum hepcidin levels and erythropoiesis indices in pregnant women with varying iron status profiles
Names of Authors: E. F. Chinedu¹, G. H. Haruna², I. J. Balogun³
Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Department of Haematology, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria; ²Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Nigeria; ³Department of Chemical Pathology, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
Abstract: Hepcidin regulates systemic iron homeostasis by controlling iron absorption and macrophage recycling, yet its expression patterns shift during pregnancy. This study cross-sectionally evaluated serum hepcidin concentrations, soluble transferrin receptor levels, and hemoglobin values in 120 pregnant women in their third trimester and 60 non-pregnant female controls. Serum hepcidin was quantified using a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Pregnant women demonstrated significantly lower mean serum hepcidin levels (4.2 ± 1.8 ng/ml) compared to non-pregnant controls (18.6 ± 4.5 ng/ml, P < 0.001), reflecting a physiological adaptation to enhance dietary iron absorption. Among the pregnant cohort, women with established iron deficiency anemia (hemoglobin < 11.0 g/dl, ferritin < 15 ng/ml) exhibited near-complete suppression of hepcidin (< 1.5 ng/ml). Serum hepcidin levels correlated positively with ferritin (r = 0.58, P < 0.01) and inversely with soluble transferrin receptor values (r = -0.42, P < 0.05). This physiological suppression of hepcidin during late gestation facilitates maximal maternal-fetal iron transport. Measuring hepcidin provides deep insight into iron utilization, helping guide targeted oral versus intravenous iron replacement in gestational anemias.
Keywords: Hepcidin, pregnancy, iron deficiency anemia, ferritin, soluble transferrin receptor
Manuscript Timeline: Received: July 02, 2013; Revised: August 14, 2013; Accepted: September 04, 2013; Published: October 12, 2013