Evaluation of the relationship between serum ferritin levels and pregnancy outcome

Abstract

Introduction: Prenatal care is performed in order to diagnose high risk cases and to prevent pregnancy complications. Recent researches showed a relationship between serum ferritin level and some complications such as preterm delivery and premature rupture of membranes. This study evaluated the relationship between serum ferritin level and outcome of pregnancy.

Methods: This study was a descriptive and analytic prospective research, which covered 267 pregnant women who referred to selected health centers of Isfahan. Data collection was done by questionnaires and interviews, prenatal documents and results of serum ferritin levels. Sampling was done by cluster random method. Samples of serum ferritin concentration were taken in 28-30 weeks of pregnancy. Data were analyzed by descriptive and analytic tests (t-test and analysis of variance).

Results: Data analysis showed that 10, 25, 50, 75 and 90 percentiles of serum ferritin concentration in weeks 28-30 of pregnancy were 8.6, 20.6, 12, 30.2 and 42.5 ng/ml, respectively. Samples were divided into six groups. Mean serum ferritin levels in premature rupture of membrane (PROM) cases were more than those with no PROM. On the basis of these results, a significant relationship between serum ferritin levels and PROM was seen.

Conclusion: The findings showed a relationship between serum ferritin level and PROM. Then, high risk mothers can be recognized by detection of serum ferritin level within their pregnancies