ABSTRACT
Background: Iron deficiency anemia is the most common nutritional deficiency in the world; estimates suggest that 2 billion persons worldwide are iron deficient. Because of the increased iron requirements of pregnancy and growth, pregnant women and infants are recognized as the groups most vulnerable to iron deficiency anemia. Aim: To determine the relationship between the iron status of pregnant women and their newborns using a combination of hematologic and biochemical parameters for the diagnosis of iron deficiency.Methods: The study was conducted on 75 pregnant women either prime or second gravida delivering singleton live births at term gestation (37-41 weeks). The subjects (n=61) were divided into 4 groups: Group 1: Hemoglobin ≤ 6.9g/dl, Group 2: Hemoglobin 7-9.9g/dl, Group 3: Hemoglobin 10-10.9g/dl, Group 4: Hemoglobin ≥ 11g/dl. Results: Positive correlation exists between the maternal and the neonatal hemoglobin levels. The serum iron and serum ferritin values of the neonates correlate with the maternal hemoglobin levels and serum ferritin are very low in the neonates of the mothers with severe iron-deficiency. The lower iron and ferritin values of the neonate were not reflected by the neonatal RBC indices, hence they should not be used as a indicator for assessing the iron status. Conclusion: Iron related parameters are correlated between pregnant women and their corresponding newborns meaning that iron is transported from mother to fetus in direct proportion with the levels found in the maternal circulation