Serum Iron Parameters among Pre-Eclamptic and Normotensive Pregnant Patients in The Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

Objective-To compare the serum iron parameters in parturients with and without preeclampsia Study design- Acase-control study Materials and Methods-Thirty-nine pre-eclamptic patients who presented in labour or about to be delivered by Caesarean section were selected as cases while fifty-eight normotensives admitted within the same period served as the controls. Blood samples were taken from informed participants before delivery and sent to the laboratory for analysis. Relevant bio-data was obtained from case records of the participants while the results of serum iron, ferritin, binding capacity and percentage saturation were recorded. Results-There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups regarding maternal age, parity, birth weight and gestational age at delivery, p>0.05.There were no differences also between the two groups with regard to the mode of delivery and fetal outcome, p>0.05. Even though total iron binding capacity was lower in preeclamptic patients, it didn't reach statistical significance. However, statistically significant differences were found between the two groups regarding serum iron and ferritin, p<0.05. Conclusion -Serum iron and ferritin were increased in patients with preeclampsia which may promote oxidative stress and therefore preeclampsia. More studies with larger sample sizes are advocated to validate the reliability of these findings.