Association of inflammatory mediators and molecular markers of iron metabolism in pregnancies with pregestational obesity during the development of anaemia: a narrative review

Abstract

Obesity and anaemia are major problems all over the world; pregnancies often suffer from these medical conditions. Obesity is associated with an increased risk of iron deficiency associated with the activation of inflammatory markers and their influence on iron regulatory pathways. All of the pregnant obese women have a mild inflammatory response, which later leads to increased hepcidin levels, thereby influencing iron metabolism. The purpose of this review was to summarize recent findings that have reported the measuring of markers of iron metabolism and inflammatory in pregestationally obese pregnancies in the development of anaemia. This review examines obesity-related activation of inflammatory mediators as a potential primary cause of iron deficiency (ID) or iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) in obese pregnant women. Despite numerous studies, the effect of maternal weight on the risk of developing ID/IDA during pregnancy remains un-clear. Markers of iron metabolism in the background of inflammation are being considered. Pre-pregnancy obesity is associated with an increased risk of developing ID/IDA during pregnancy and in the postpartum period for mother and child.