GESTATIONAL IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA IS NOT SIMPLY A CONSEQUENCE OF IRON DEFICIENCY: AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY FOR COFOUNDERS.

Objectives: To evaluate serum levels of vitamin D (VD), hepcidin, interleukin (IL)-6 and iron indices in pregnant women Patients & Methods: 88 pregnant women fulfilling the inclusion criteria underwent full clinical examination and gave blood samples for determination of hemoglobin concentration (Hb. Conc.), and ELISA estimation of serum 25-hydroxy VD (25OH-VD), ferritin concentration (SFC), hepcidin and IL-6 at the 6th wk gestational age (Booking time) and underwent re-determination of Hb. Conc. at start of the 3rd trimester and Hb. Deficit was calculated. Study outcome included determination of the frequency of iron deficiency (ID), iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and VD deficiency (VDD) and evaluation of the relations between these parameters. Results: At booking time, 17 women were anemic (Hb. Conc. <11 gm/dl), while 14 women had SFC<15 ng/ml, for a frequency of anemia, ID and IDA of 19.3%, 15.9% and 11.4%, respectively. At the 3rd trimester, 35 women had Hb. Conc.