Abstract

LANGINI, Silvia Haydée et al. Usefulness of serum ferritin to assess maternal iron stores in the early postpartum period. Acta bioquím. clín. latinoam. [online]. 2004, vol.38, n.2, pp.173-179. ISSN 0325-2957.

Serum ferritin (SF) may not be a reliable indicator of iron (Fe) stores during the puerperium. Therefore, it was compared to the soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) in 24 h post partum women (n = 88), assisted at Diego Paroissien Hospital (Buenos Aires, Argentina). Hematocrit (Hct), hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cells (RBC) and white blood cells (WBC) were determined in fasting blood samples using an electronic counter (Mega); SF by ELISA (IMx Ferritina, Abbott); sTfR by ELISA (Orion Diagnostica) and C-Reactive Protein (PCR-Latex, Wiener lab). Statistical analysis (Receiver Operating Characteristics, ROC) were performed using the sTfR as "gold standard". Results: (mean ± SD) (range): Hct (%) 35 + 5 (22 - 47); Hb (g/L) 112 ± 17 (61 - 150); RBC x 103/mm3 3843 ± 530 (2500-5300); WBC/mm3 9644±2599 (5300 -21000); sTfR (mg/L) 4.93 ± 2.93 (0.54 - 14.77); SF(µg/L) 33 ± 39 (0 - 210); PCR (+) in 92.4%. Sensitivity and specificity of SF were, respectively: 83% and 63% for a cut-off point of 25 µg /L (area under ROC plot 0.795, 95% reference interval: 0.694 - 0.897). SF correlated inversely with sTfR (r = -0.436) and with the sTfR/SF ratio (r = -0.919). These results suggest that SF may be a useful indicator of maternal Fe stores during the early perinatal period, although its cost may limit rutinary laboratory use.

Keywords : Maternal iron stores; Early puerperium.; Serum ferritin.; Soluble transferrin receptor.

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