Publication:

The association of serum ferritin with preeclampsia and its severity

Background Preeclampsia, a pregnancy-related condition with heightened blood pressure and organ damage after 20 weeks, prompts concern. Serum ferritin, an iron-storing protein, gauged by blood tests, mirrors iron levels. Investigating link before conception between serum ferritin and preeclampsia could impact how we identify, manage, and treat this condition during pregnancy. Study aimed to assess the association of serum ferritin with preeclampsia and its severity.

Methods This case-control study was conducted in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib medical university hospital and Dhaka medical college hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh from July 2011 to June 2012. A total of 100 pregnant women, comprising 50 cases (Preeclamptic) and 50 controls (Normal pregnant women), were purposively included as study subjects. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 23.0.

Results In the case group, 64% were with mild and 36% with severe preeclampsia. Mean serum ferritin was significantly higher in cases than in controls (p<0.001); 76% of cases had elevated serum ferritin, compared to 44% in controls (p=0.001). Severe preeclampsia group had a mean serum ferritin of 192.8, mild preeclampsia group had 86.1, and normal pregnant women had 21.7 ng/ml, indicating higher serum ferritin with preeclampsia severity (p<0.001).

Conclusions Preeclamptic cases exhibit significantly elevated serum ferritin levels, with a fourfold increased likelihood compared to normal pregnancies. Furthermore, the severity of preeclampsia is associated with higher serum ferritin concentrations in comparison to uncomplicated pregnancies.