Ferritin and iron status in pregnancy: Relationship to fetal alcohol syndrome

Journal Article · Thu Feb 09 04:00:00 EST 1989 · FASEB Journal (Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology); (USA)

OSTI ID:7005594

Baumstark, J S; Hill, W C; Chun, M A; Hunter, W J ^[1]

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1. Creighton Univ. School of Medical, Omaha, NE (USA)

Ferritin is a water soluble macromolecule of M{sub r} = 450,000 within whose inner core is stored approximately 4,500 atoms of iron (as ferric oxyhydroxide). The protein is the chief source of stored iron and its determination in serum is an excellent indicator of iron status. This laboratory is engaged in a study of iron metabolism and its relationship to fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). Ferritin and transferrin levels have been determined ion serial maternal sera, as well as cord serum. Patients were identified as high risk for the development of FAS by questionnaire. Transferrin levels for both maternal and cord serum were within normal literature values and increased, in maternal serum, at a rate of 5 mg/dl per week of gestation. Ferritin levels decreased at a rate of 1 ng/ml per gestational week. At term, the ferritin level for maternal serum in ten patients was 17 ng/ml {plus minus} 12 SD with a range of 2-35 ng/ml. The value for ferritin in cord serum was 78 {plus minus} 36 SD which is significantly lower than the normal mean value of 101 {plus minus} 52 ng/ml. Equating 101 ng/ml with 100% efficiency in iron metabolism it can be calculated that the high risk-for-FAS fetus is 23% less efficient in general iron metabolism than is the fetus of the normal patient. A decrease of 23% efficiency in iron metabolism could be associated with intrauterine growth retardation and/or the genesis of birth defects.

• OSTI ID: 7005594
• Journal Information: FASEB Journal (Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology); (USA), Journal Name: FASEB Journal (Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology); (USA) Vol. 3:3; ISSN FAJOE; ISSN 0892-6638
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ALCOHOLS
BEVERAGES
BLOOD SERUM
ELEMENTS
ETHANOL
FETUSES
FOOD
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
IRON
METABOLISM
METALS
NUTRITION
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PATIENTS
PRENATAL EXPOSURE
TRANSITION ELEMENTS