Iron status parameters in preeclamptic women in Gaza, Palestine

Akram M Altaher ,Abdullah M Alagh ,Khader J Abu Taha ,Abed El-Kader Y El-Ottol ,Ahmed Y Abu Hatab ,Mohammed T Khafaja

doi:10.33976/iugns.28.1/2020/05

Abstract

Preeclampsia (PE) is a turmoil in the pregnancy appeared with the onset of hypertension and considerable amount of proteinuria. Extra serum iron is a causative component of oxidative stress concerned in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. This study is a case control, conducted in 2018, and aimed to determine the iron status in preeclamptics as compared to normotensive pregnancies in Gaza strip. About 100 pregnant women with gestational age between 26 to 36 weeks. Fifty of them were preeclamptics and an equal number were without preeclampsia, aged between 18 to 35 years. Interview questionnaires were used to take sociodemographic and clinical data. Anthropometric evaluation and biochemical analysis were conducted. The SPSS version22 was used for data analysis. There was no statistically difference in the gestational age, gestational number and hemoglobin levels in the cases and controls (p≥ 0.05). In contrast, the body mass index (BMI), systolic, diastolic blood pressure (BP), and uric acid (UA) levels were significantly higher in preeclamptics (P<0.001). As well, the majority of cases were have +2 proteinuria on dipstick testing. Further, serum iron and ferritin levels were significantly higher in preeclamptics. On the other hand, ferritin levels had significant direct correlations with gestational number, previous preeclampsia, BMI, systolic BP, diastolic BP, UA, and proteinuria (P<0.05). Likewise, Iron had significant direct correlation with proteinuria (P<0.05). Preeclamptics have higher hematological parameters levels (iron & ferritin) as compared to normotensive women. However, Iron status of preeclamptic women should be assessed before giving iron supplements as these may cause more harm than benefit.

Highlights

PE is the development of hypertension (HTN) and proteinuria and/or edema after 20th week of pregnancy
Many studies have been reported that Iron has a significant role in the emergence of preeclampsia due to its role in lipid peroxidation process, where this process plays a role in the etiology of the disease
The total samples of this study were consisting of 100 age-matched pregnant women who have gestational age between 26 to 36 weeks. 50 preeclampsia women were selected according to gynecologists reports. 50 healthy pregnant subjects were taken as a control group, having uncomplicated pregnancies and were normotensive throughout gestation and without proteinuria

Summary

Introduction

PE is the development of hypertension (HTN) and proteinuria and/or edema after 20th week of pregnancy. The gynecologists of Gaza strip describe iron supplements for all pregnant women who attended the clinics regardless of their serum iron status. This improper behavior leads to the possibility of preeclampsia among normotensive women and the possibility of increased severity and complications of preeclampsia among preeclamptic women. It seems important to pay attention to the iron status parameters in preeclamptics and as compared to normotensive pregnancies in Palestine in order to prove the significant differences in their levels between the two groups to provide advice to decision makers on the need to conduct serum iron parameters tests for all pregnant women before giving them iron supplements. This study aimed to find out the iron status parameters in preeclamptics as compared to normotensive pregnancies in Gaza, Palestine

Objectives

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion