Serum Ferritin and Serum Iron Level in Preeclampsia

Background: Preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and premature delivery are three obstetric problems related with high iron reserves during pregnancy. Few studies have found an association between preeclampsia and higher serum ferritin levels, however, this finding was not convincing. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the variation in the levels of serum ferritin and serum iron level in preeclamptic Bangladeshi women compared to healthy pregnant women. Methods: This case control study was carried out in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) during October 2018 to September 2020. A total of 94 pregnant women between 18-40 years of age were included in this study in her 32 weeks to 38 gestational weeks. Among them 47 diagnosed case of preeclampsia and rest 47 healthy pregnant women were consider as control. Purposive sampling technique was followed. After taking consent and matching eligibility criteria, data were collected from patients on variables of interest using the predesigned structured questionnaire by interview, observation, clinical examination and hematological investigation of the patients. The serum ferritin and serum iron level were measured in Department of Biochemistry in BSMMU. Statistical analyses of the results were be obtained by using window based Microsoft Excel and Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS-22), where required. Results: Serum ferritin in preeclamptic women was (124.54±32.14 ng/ml), versus (50.83±2.53 ng/ml) in the control group with P-value (0.001). Serum iron in preeclamptic women was (110.19±23.62µg/dl), versus (105.15±26.6 µg/dl) in the control group with P- value (0.334). Almost three fourth (74.5%) patients had serum ferritin >120 (ng/ml) in case and 17(36.2%) in control. The difference was statistically significant (p<0.05) between two groups with OR= 5.15 (95% CI 2.12-12.47). There was a positive significant Pearson’s correlation coefficient between serum ferritin and each systolic and diastolic blood pressure (r=0.561, p<0.001 and r=0.556, p<0.001 respectively). Serum ferritin level increases significantly in preeclamptic women. There was no significant difference in serum iron levels between the preeclamptic women and control groups. Increased level of serum ferritin may play a role in pathogenesis of preeclampsia. Conclusion: Preeclampsia as one of pregnancy related complications is a notable burden of adverse health. This case-control study demonstrated that preeclampsia is associated with high serum ferritin levels, and that in preeclamptic women, serum ferritin was positively correlated with blood pressure.