Serum Copper and Iron Status in Pregnant Women with Iron Deficiency Anemia

Abstract

The objective of this work is to assess the levels of serum copper and iron in pregnant women with iron deficiency anemic (IDA). Case control study was performed in the antenatal care unit at the department of obstetrics and gynecology, the National Ribat University Hospital- Sudan, which is a tertiary care hospital, during October 2012 to September 2013. The study group included seventy anemic pregnant women with mean age (29.5 ± 0.7y), and thirty control group (non anemic pregnant women) age, sex and socioeconomic status matched. Copper was measured using flameless atomic absorption, while iron profile was measured using full automated chemical analyzer. The study illustrated a significant decrease in hemoglobin, mean cell volume, serum iron, serum ferritin, and iron saturation in the test group compared to the control group: (89.1 ± 1) vs (112 ± 1g/l), (61.9 ± 0.8) vs (78.5 ± 0.6fl), (42.5 ± 1.3) vs (97.5 ± 4.9µg/dl), (19.8 ± 3.2) vs (92.9 ± 13.1 µg/l) and (14.3 ± 0.7) vs (26.5 ± 0.7%) (p≤ 0.000) respectively, while serum copper and total iron binding capacity were significantly increased (242.7 ± 2.1) vs (201.7 ± 2.2 µg/l), (408.3 ± 10.7) vs (317.2 ± 4.2 µg/ dl) (p≤ 0.05), respectively. In pregnant women iron absorption is negatively affected by competitive serum high copper. Judicious diet and supplementation of micronutrients are crucial during pregnancy especially in pregnant women with iron deficiency anemia.