Serum prohepcidin concentrations in preeclamptic pregnant women: An analysis concerning serum iron status markers and compared to healthy pregnant women

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to evaluate serum prohepcidin concentrations in preeclamptic pregnant women related to iron status markers and compared to healthy pregnant women.
METHODS: A total of 80 pregnant women admitted to a tertiary care obstetric clinic were included in this cross-sectional study. Pregnant women were divided into two groups based on preeclampsia screening results, including those with preeclampsia (n=40) and healthy pregnant women (n=40). Data on gestational week at the time of blood sampling, and blood analysis findings including complete blood count (CBC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), iron homeostasis parameters (serum iron, ferritin and total iron-binding capacity [TIBC]) and plasma prohepcidin levels were recorded in each women.
RESULTS: The presence of preeclampsia was associated with significantly higher WBC count (13.5±4.4 vs. 10.9±2.9 x103/µL, p=0.001) and serum iron (102.7±65.0 vs. 74.8±54.0 µmol/L, p=0.04) and ferritin (40.9±41.2 vs. 18.6±29.1 µg/L, p=0.007) and plasma prohepcidin (38.2±39.3 vs. 17.91±14.71, p=0.004) levels compared to the healthy pregnant woman.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate an increase in serum iron and ferritin levels coupled with elevated prohepcidin levels in pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia. Further longitudinal researches are needed to clarify the role of prohepcidin and active hepcidin in preeclampsia and the potential mechanisms underlying the unregulated hepcidin-iron homeostasis.