Study of the effect of maternal iron depletion on neonatal iron metabolism

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

Serum vitamin B12 in neural tube defects: a factor behind folate deficiency

Neural tube defects [NTDs] are the most common congenital anomalies of the central nervous system, resulting from failure of the neural tube to close between 3rd - 4th week of gestation. NTDs result from multiple intrinsic and extrinsic factors including maternal folate deficiency. Although clear evidence exists on preventability of a large proportion of neural tube defects by periconceptional folk acid intake, however the exact cause of this deficiency is not established. Hence, the purpose of this study was to determine possible risk factors for the occurrence of NTDs. The relation between maternal serum folate and vitamin B[12] and their infant's levels. Patients and methods: Clinical history and examination, and serum folic acid and vitamin B[12] concentrations [by Radioimmunoassay] were assessed for 20 neonates with neural tube defect [36-39 week of gestation, 11 females and 9 males] and their mothers. They were compared to 20 healthy neonates and their mother as a control group. Infants with NTDs have significantly lower serum levels of folic acid and vitamin B12, compared to healthy infants [p = 0.02 and p = 0.001] respectively. Serum level of vit B12 was significantly lower in mothers of infants with NTDs than mothers of healthy infants [p = 0.01], but there was no significant difference between serum level of folic acid in mothers of infants with NTDs and mothers of healthy infants. There was no significant difference between males and females as regards serum levels of both folic acid and vit B12. Positive correlation was found between gestational age and serum level of folic acid [p = 0.01]. Also, statistically significant positive correlation was found between serum level of vitamin B12 of infants With NTDs and their momers. [p =0.031]. There was significant correlation between serum level of folic acid and serum level of vitamin B12 in mothers of healthy infants [p<0.05]. The study demonstrated that not only folate is deficient in infants with neural tube defects, but vitamin B12 is also deficent in them and their respective mothers. This finding focuses light on the pivotal role vit.B12 deficiency as a corner stone of folate deficiency So deficiency of vitamin B12 rather than folic acid during pregnancy might play a role in the genesis of neural tube defects