Hepcidin, iron status, and inflammation variables among healthy pregnant women in the Turkish population

Purpose: To investigate hepcidin levels in each trimester and their association with other haematological variables and inflammation markers during normal pregnancy among low-risk pregnant women in rural Turkey. Method: The series comprised 103 healthy Turkish primigravida women with a normal pregnancy. Blood samples were obtained at 11-14, 24-28 and 30-34 weeks of gestation. Haemoglobin, hematocrit, red cell indices, white blood cell count, platelet count, iron status indicators (plasma iron, transferrin, ferritin levels and iron binding capacity), serum hepcidin, interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein levels were analysed. The proportions were compared using Pearson's (X)2 test or Friedman's test. Results: The mean serum hepcidin concentrations at 11-14, 24-28 and 30-34 weeks of gestation were as follows: 7.8 +/- 3.4 ng/mL, 8.6 +/- 3.1 ng/mL and 7.3 +/- 3.0 ng/mL, respectively. The mean serum ferritin concentrations with median values at each trimester were 14.2 (11.5), 9.5 (8.8) and 11.2 (9.3), respectively. The mean serum CRP values at each trimester were 5.1 (4.0), 5.5 (4.6) and 6.0 (5.5), respectively. The serum hepcidin levels were not related to iron status or the haemoglobin, IL-6 or C-reactive protein levels. Conclusions: There was no association between serum hepcidin and serum ferritin, IL-6 or CRP concentrations in each trimester among low-risk pregnant women.