Pro-hepcidin concentration in serum of women in uncomplicated pregnancy, pregnancy complicated by premature rupture of membranes and in pregnancy induced hypertension.

UNLABELLED

Pro-hepcidin, mainly synthesized in hepatocytes is the pro-hormone of hepcidin which demonstrates antimicrobial activity and is the body's main regulator of iron homeostasis.

THE AIM

The estimation of serum pro-hepcidin concentrations in uncomplicated pregnancy and complicated by premature rupture of membranes (PROM) and in pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The studies were performed in 24 women in pregnancy complicated by premature rupture of membranes, 31 women in pregnancy with induced hypertension and 35 healthy women in corresponding weeks of gestation (third trimester). Concentration of pro-hepcidin, C-reactive protein, white blood cell count, haemoglobin and haematocrit were studied using commercially available kits.

RESULTS

Levels of serum pro-hepcidin in studied pregnant women were similar and amounted respectively to 99.6 microg/L, 93.7 microg/L and 98.2 microg/L in PIH, PROM and in the uncomplicated pregnancy group. In the group of patients with PROM and PIH, concentration of haemoglobin was significantly lower than in healthy pregnant women, but remains in the physiological range. In the studied groups values of C-reactive protein and leucocytes count were normal. We did not observe any correlation between the concentration of serum pro-hepcidin and iron status measurements.

CONCLUSION

In pregnancies complicated by premature rupture of membranes and pregnancy induced hypertension with normal values of haemoglobin and haematocrit serum pro-hepcidin concentrations are similar to those observed in healthy pregnant women with normal course of pregnancy.