The impact of maternal obesity on iron status and neonatal ferritin

Abstract

Abstract

Background: anemia in pregnant women still remains as one of the major health problems that it affects on mothers and their child. The most common cause of anemia is a lack of iron.  Moreover, a chronic inflammation such as overweigh and obesity is one cause of anemia. Both of causes of anemia including lack of iron and obesity can be found in Thailand. The aim of this study was to identify the effect of obesity on iron status among pregnant women and infants and to examine the association of obesity and iron status in both mother and infant. Methods: A literature review was searched from Pubmed, Scorpus, and Science Direct, in the years 2014 -2018, with keyword of pregnant women with obesity and infants, indications of iron status.

Results: There is suggestive evidence that the obesity pregnant had more Hepcidin than non-obese women, which 11.2 ng/ml and 7.03 ng/ml, respectively. While, iron status among obesity pregnant such as ferritin (28.9 ug/L) and serum transferrin receptor (18.4 mg/L)  had lower Hepcidin than non-obese women, ferritin (19.8 ug/L) and serum transferrin receptor (13.2 mg/L). Furthermore, Ferritin level among infants who born from obesity pregnant was lower than infants who born from non-obese, 134.2 ug/L and 165.5 ug/L, respectively. In addition, the association of maternal BMI and Hepcidin levels were correlated with blood iron concentration and maternal Hepcidin levels were correlated with iron status in infants.

Conclusion and Suggestion: The obesity pregnant should be improve iron status by taking iron supplements and concern about weight control and eating behavior.