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

Background: The 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 study: This 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 & methods: This 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. Results: Maternal 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