THE ROLE OF HEPCIDIN IN THE MAIN IRON-DEFICIENCY SYNDROMES IN PREGNANCY

Currently, there is evidence that hepcidin is the main regulator of iron metabolism in human and pathogenesis key factor for anemia of inflammation. However, the role of hepcidin in multifactorial pathogenesis of anemia in pregnancy is not clear. We presented the results of the laboratory examinations of 78 pregnant women sera in hepcidin, ferritin, erythropoietin during pregnancy, and 116 sera of pregnant women with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and anemia of mixed origin. The obtained data indicate a statistically significant decrease in the mean hepcidin concentration in pregnants versus non pregnant women. Mean hepcidin level in pregnant women with IDA was decreased, compared with anemia of mixed origin pregnants (p<0.0001). Evaluation of hepcidin concentrations may be useful laboratory test for differential diagnostic of anemia during pregnancy and for determination of optimal therapeutic option between oral iron, parenteral iron or using erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) in combination with iron products.