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. 2006 Nov;26(11):671-6.
doi: 10.1038/sj.jp.7211600. Epub 2006 Oct 5.

Elevated zinc protoporphyrin/heme ratios in umbilical cord blood after diabetic pregnancy

K B Lesser  1 , S B Schoel, P J Kling
Affiliations

Elevated zinc protoporphyrin/heme ratios in umbilical cord blood after diabetic pregnancy

K B Lesser et al. J Perinatol. 2006 Nov.

Abstract

Objective: Offspring of diabetes patients may suffer from tissue iron deficiency. Erythrocyte zinc protoporphyrin/heme (ZnPP/H) ratios measure impaired iron status. The aim of the study was to examine whether cord ZnPP/H ratios were associated with pregnancy glycemic control.

Methods: ZnPP/H was measured in cord blood from 31 pregnancies with insulin-treated diabetes (diabetes group) and compared to population normal values. Maternal glycemic control was assessed by daily glucose log, glycosylated hemoglobin and birth weight.

Results: Median cord ZnPP/H was higher in the diabetes group than the population normal values (106 (65.2 to 146.8) microM/M vs 68.2 (37.6 to 98.8) micro/M, P < 0.0001). Ratios were directly correlated to surrogates of control (glycosylated hemoglobin, P = 0.05, and birth weight, P < 0.04). Cord ZnPP/H ratios from pregnancies with pre-existing and gestational diabetes were similar.

Conclusion: Because cord ZnPP/H was higher in large offspring of diabetic pregnancy, it might identify greater iron utilization for fetal erythropoiesis.

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