The influence of iron‚ vitamin B 12‚ and folate levels on soluble transferrin receptor concentration in pregnant women

Author(s)

Paiva‚ A. de A. ; Rondó‚ P. H. C. ; Guerra-Shinohara‚ E. M. ; Silva‚ C. S.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Clinica Chimica Acta; v. 334, n. 1-2, p. 197-203, Aug. 2003.
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Collective Health

Abstract

Soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) concentration is high in iron deficiency and in conditions of increased erythropoiesis. In developing countries like Brazil, pregnant women usually have concurrent iron, vitamin B12, and folate deficiencies. This study investigated the relationship between serum sTfR concentration and iron, vitamin B12, and folate status in pregnant women. Methods: The concentration of the sTfR, hematocrit (Hct), hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cell (RBC) and white blood cell (WBC) counts, serum iron (SI), total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), transferrin saturation, serum ferritin, zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP), vitamin B12, and serum and RBC folate were determined in 40 healthy pregnant women who delivered term babies. Results: sTfR concentration was significantly higher when the women had iron deficiency (serum ferritin <10 μg/l, p<0.01), but there was no significant difference in sTfR concentration according to vitamin B12, serum, and RBC folate concentrations. Women who had serum ferritin <10 μg/l also had lower vitamin B12 values (p<0.01). There was no significant correlation between vitamin B12 and serum folate with sTfR concentration. According to a regression analysis, sTfR concentration was associated with serum iron, serum ferritin, RBC count, and hemoglobin concentration. Conclusion: Iron was the only micronutrient that influenced the sTfR concentration. Vitamin B12 and folate concentrations were probably not sufficiently low to have an impact on the sTfR concentration. (AU)