Maternal and cord blood hepcidin levels based on gestational weeks in term and preterm infants

BackgroundThe reliable assessment of iron deficiency (ID) and the iron parameters which contribute to anaemia in preterm and term infants are of vital importance.Aim of the studyThis study focuses on identifying maternal and cord blood hepcidin [Hep (CB)] levels based on gestational weeks (GW) and comparing them with other parameters in iron metabolism.Patients & methodsThis is a prospective and observational study including 102 pregnant women and their infants. Along with Hep(CB), iron, iron chelation capacity, ferritin, transferrin saturation, C-reactive protein level were recorded for mothers and infants.ResultsMaternal and cord blood hepcidin levels were 135.0 ng/ml (6.40–2846.0) and 286.30 ng/ml (90–1697) for those under 33 GW (n = 27), 66.4 ng/ml (11.0–3936.0) and 406.9 ng/ml (10.0–1867) for those between 33 and 37 GW (n = 33), 41.4 ng/ml (2.8–513.7) and 498.1 ng/ml (343.7–701.7) for those over 37 GW (n = 42), respectively. Hep(CB) [104.7 ng/ml (5.0–1022.0), n = 22] levels were lower for infants with ID compared to those without iron deficiency [463.3 ng/ml (131.3–2261.0), p < 0.0001, n = 80)]. While a strongly positive relationship was observed between Hep(CB) levels and cord blood ferritin levels (Rho = 0.76, p < 0.0001) in the correlation analysis, a weak relationship (Rho = 0.29, p = 0.004) was found for transferrin saturation. Additionally, it was observed that Hep(CB) levels were directly proportional to GW (Rho = 0.23, p < 0.0001) and birth weight (Rho = 0.21, p = 0.03). A decrease of 10 units in Hep(CB) level increases risk for ID anaemia by 5% [OR = 0.95 (0.9297–0.98099)].ConclusionsThis study, which compares Hep(CB) levels and iron parameters based on GWs, differs from similar studies in terms of assessment of both preterm and term groups along with maternal levels. It is evident that increase in hepcidin prevents ID anaemia.