Pre Eclampsia and Iron Status: A Review

Abstract

Preeclampsia is an idiopathic multisystem disorder specific to pregnancy and development of hypertension and proteinuria, increased vascular resistance and endothelial dysfunction in the mother , altered placental perfusion and restricted fetal growth. The vasospasm leads to destruction of RBCs release iron thus, there is elevated serum iron levels in preeclamptic women. The excess iron released from destruction of RBCs can react with free radicals produced from cell membrane (as it is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids) and circulating lipoproteins initiates lipid peroxidation both in placenta and vasculature. This is one of the significant etiologic factors in the endothelial cell damage of preeclampsia. the raised serum iron levels in turn alters the iron related parameters like total iron binding capacity(TIBC), serum ferritin, transferrin, percent saturation.