ABSTRACT
Maternal nutritional and hormonal state from as early as the first days after fertilization can influence the growth rate of the fetus and also the length of gestation. was firstly; to study iron indices [serum iron, ferritin, and soluble transferrin receptors "STFR"] in neonates, and their relation with gestational age, birth weight and gender. Also, to assess the value of utilization of STFR and STFR/ Log ferritin index to evaluate the effects of maternal anemia, iron status, and iron supplementation, on neonatal iron indices at birth. Serum Iron, ferritin, STFR, and haemoglobin [Hb] concentration were measured and STFR-Log ferritin index was calculated in 40 cord serum [20 preterm "PT", and 20 full term "FT" neonates], and from their maternal serum. Seventeen mothers were anemic "Hb < 10 gm%", [5 mothers of FT, and 12 of PT babies]. Twelve mothers had depleted iron stores "serum ferritin <10 micro g/1" [4mothers of FT, and 8 PT babies]. Non of FT babies had anemia, while 9 PT had anemia, Fullterm neonates and neonates weighing >/= 2.5 Kg had significantly higher cord blood Hb, serum iron and ferritin, compared to PT neonates and neonates weighing < 2.5 Kg. Neonates weighing >/- 2.5 Kg had significantly lower STFR/Log ferritin, compared to neonates weighing < 2.5 Kg. No difference in iron indices was found between male and female neonates, also, between neonates delivered to mothers with iron supplementation during pregnancy and those without, and between neonates delivered vaginally and those by cesarean section. There was no difference in iron indices between neonates with either maternal anemia or depleted iron stores, and those with normal maternal indices. There is no relation between maternal iron status and neonatal iron indices, except for serum ferritin. Cord serum ferritin correlates positively with maternal ferritin. So, cord serum ferritin, but neither STFR nor STFR/Log ferritin, is a good indicator of neonatal iron stores at birth. Maternal iron depletion is not associated with neonatal anemia. The fetus has normal indices on the expense of his mother's iron stores. So, maternalsupplementation with iron during pregnancy is a must