Does iron-deficient erythropoiesis in pregnancy influence fetal iron supply?

Background It was investigated whether the iron status in newborns is negat ively influenced by iron-deficient erythropoiesis of the mother during preg nancy. Methods. The iron status is characterized by hemoglobin, erythrocyte zinc p rotoporphyrin and serum ferritin values. Iron-deficient erythropoiesis of t he mother is characterized by erythrocyte zinc protoporphyrin values. Measu rement of erythrocyte zinc protoporphyrin was performed in 103 non-anemic f emales within 24 hours after delivery. The iron status of their newborns wa s measured in cord blood. Results. Erythrocyte zinc protoparphyrin concentrations were normal in 62% and elevated in 38% of the females, hence 39 women had iron-deficient eryth ropoiesis. There were no significant differences in mean values of the iron status parameters between neonates born to females with iron-deficient ery thropoiesis and neonates born to females not having iron-deficient erythrop oiesis. No correlation was found between maternal erythrocyte zinc protopor phyrin values and any of the neonatal parameters. Conclusion. It is concluded that fetal iron supply is not negatively influe nced by iron-deficient erythropoiesis in the mother.