Objectives: To estimate the serum levels of vitamin D (VD), hepcidin (Hp), interleukin (IL)-6 in pregnant women during 1st trimester and their relation with estimated serum ferritin concentration (SFC) and hemoglobin concentration (HC).
Patients & Methods: 106 pregnant women were clinically evaluated and gave blood samples at 1st trimester for ELISA estimation of serum levels of VD, Hp, IL-6 and FC. All women with pregnancy-associated anemia (PAA) received oral daily iron supplemental therapy and HC was re-estimated at 3rd trimester and HC change was calculated. Study outcomes included frequency and severity of 1st trimester iron deficiency (ID) and anemia, and hypovitaminosis D (Hypo-VD) and its relation to other studied parameters. Secondary outcome was the effect of iron supplemental therapy (IST) on frequency and severity of anemia.
Results: At 1st trimester, 41 women were anemic and 27 women had ID, while on the 3rd trimester, 56 women had anemia; 29 had persistent and 27 women had newly developed anemia. Mean HC at 3rd trimester was significantly lower than at 1st trimester and only 16 women had increased, while 90 women had decreased HC. At 1st trimester, 56 women had hypo-VD, 31 women had insufficient and 19 women had sufficient VD levels. Estimated 3rd trimester HC was negatively correlated with serum Hp and IL-6. Percentage of HC change at 3rd trimester showed positive significant correlation with serum levels of VD and SFC, while showed negative significant correlation with serum Hp and IL-6. Regression analysis defined high serum VD level as significant positive, while high serum IL-6 as significant negative predictors for improved HC. Kaplan-Meier regression analysis defined higher risk for persistent or development of anemia when serum 25-OH VD was |
