CORD BLOOD HAEMOGLOBIN, IRON AND FERRITIN STATUS IN MATERNAL ANAEMIA

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Maternal and cord blood haemoglobin, serum iron, transferrin saturation and ferritin were studied in sets of 30 anaemic (haemoglobin <110 g/l) and 21 nonanaemic (haemoglobin ≧110 g/l) mothers. The cord serum iron, transferrin saturation and ferritin concentrations had significant correlation with maternal haemoglobin. The significant low levels of these parameters suggested that maternal anaemia adversely affected the iron status including iron stores of the newborns. The cord serum iron of 15.2±4.35 μmol/l and ferritin of 29.7±10.93 ng/ml seem to be effective to maintain cord haemoglobin levels. Thus, anaemic mothers with reasonably maintained ferritin and trasferrin saturation levels provide sufficient iron for maintenance of cord haemoglobin, although foetal iron stores are likely to be depleted. Copyright © 1983, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved