Disordered serum erythroferrone and hepcidin levels as indicators of the spontaneous abortion occurrence during early pregnancy in humans

Spontaneous abortion is a common, detrimental outcome of pregnancy, and can be induced by a variety of factors, including pathophysiological conditions and socioeconomic circumstances. Despite numerous studies examining the aetiology of spontaneous abortion, there is limited understanding of the disordered iron transportation between mother and fetus through the placenta. Recently, erythroferrone (ERFE) was recognized as a novel negative regulator of hepcidin that can elevate nutritional iron absorption and macrophagic iron egress for enhanced erythropoiesis. However, its diagnostic significance in different disease conditions associated with iron remains poorly understood. In the current study, we discovered disordered maternal iron homeostasis in women who had spontaneous abortions during early pregnancy, as characterized by increased serum iron and hepcidin levels, and conversely, reduced serum ERFE levels, compared to healthy control individuals and women with normal pregnancy. Comprehensive statistical analyses revealed the correlation between different variables and pregnancy status, signifying the pronounced diagnostic value of an increased ratio of serum hepcidin and ERFE (HE ratio) in recognizing adverse pregnancy status. In contrast to previous non-selective discrete surrogates, such as iron, hepcidin and ferritin, the HE ratio may otherwise stand for a novel and more representative hallmark for early spontaneous abortion.

Automated summary

The study found disordered maternal iron homeostasis in women who had early spontaneous abortions, with increased serum iron and hepcidin levels, and decreased serum ERFE levels. The elevated serum hepcidin and ERFE ratio (HE ratio) showed potential as a diagnostic marker for identifying adverse pregnancy outcomes.