The Utility of Hypochromic Markers in the Detection of Latent Iron Deficiency in Women in their First Trimester of Pregnancy

Background and Objectives: While iron deficiency anemia is a documented common problem in pregnancy, there is limited information on latent iron deficiency. Accordingly, we aimed to determine the frequency of the latter in the first trimester of pregnancy and assess the utility of new hypochromic ma...

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Main Authors: Haliz Salman Sulaiman, Firdous Hussein Ahmed, Nasir Al-Allawi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Kurdistan Higher Council Of Medical Specialties 2024-12-01
Series:Advanced Medical Journal
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Online Access:https://amj.khcms.edu.krd/index.php/main/article/view/534
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author Haliz Salman Sulaiman
Firdous Hussein Ahmed
Nasir Al-Allawi
author_facet Haliz Salman Sulaiman
Firdous Hussein Ahmed
Nasir Al-Allawi
author_sort Haliz Salman Sulaiman
collection DOAJ
description Background and Objectives: While iron deficiency anemia is a documented common problem in pregnancy, there is limited information on latent iron deficiency. Accordingly, we aimed to determine the frequency of the latter in the first trimester of pregnancy and assess the utility of new hypochromic markers in screening for it. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we recruited 100 pregnant women in their first trimester attending the Maternity Hospital in the period between January and March 2023. Inclusion criteria included hemoglobin >11.0 g/dl, and no iron supplements. Serum ferritin was used to classify patients into latent iron deficiency or iron replete state. While a hematology analyzer was used to determine the new hypochromic markers: namely %Hypo-He, Ret-He, % Hyper-He, RBC-He. Results: The mean age of enrollees was 29.3 (SD 5.5) years and included 38% with latent iron deficiency (hemoglobin > 11 g/dl and S. ferritin ? 30 ng/ml). The latter group had significantly lower hemoglobin (P=0.03), and %Hypo-He (P<0.001) than iron replete women. While neither MCV, MCH, reticulocyte counts, Ret-He, or RBC-He were different. Furthermore, %Hypo-He was significantly negatively correlated with serum ferritin (P<0.001) and had a fair discriminating power between latent iron deficiency and iron replete status. Conclusion: High prevalence of latent iron deficiency was documented among pregnant women in their first trimester; Furthermore, %Hypo-He was a better red cell index to screen for it.  Because of its high frequency and anticipated impact on fetal and maternal health, routine screening for latent iron deficiency in pregnancy may be warranted.
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spelling doaj-art-3f3724b429294dfb81f3ece2c44f6f1d2025-08-20T02:27:23ZengKurdistan Higher Council Of Medical SpecialtiesAdvanced Medical Journal2958-89792957-35802024-12-019410.56056/amj.2024.301535The Utility of Hypochromic Markers in the Detection of Latent Iron Deficiency in Women in their First Trimester of PregnancyHaliz Salman Sulaiman0Firdous Hussein Ahmed1Nasir Al-Allawi2MBChB; Senior House Office, Department of Hematology, Azadi Teaching hospital, Duhok, IraqMBChB; FIBMS; Hematology Specialist, Department of Hematology, Azadi Teaching Hospital, Duhok, IraqMBChB, MSC, PhD, FRCPath; Professor of Hematology, Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Duhok, Duhok, IraqBackground and Objectives: While iron deficiency anemia is a documented common problem in pregnancy, there is limited information on latent iron deficiency. Accordingly, we aimed to determine the frequency of the latter in the first trimester of pregnancy and assess the utility of new hypochromic markers in screening for it. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we recruited 100 pregnant women in their first trimester attending the Maternity Hospital in the period between January and March 2023. Inclusion criteria included hemoglobin >11.0 g/dl, and no iron supplements. Serum ferritin was used to classify patients into latent iron deficiency or iron replete state. While a hematology analyzer was used to determine the new hypochromic markers: namely %Hypo-He, Ret-He, % Hyper-He, RBC-He. Results: The mean age of enrollees was 29.3 (SD 5.5) years and included 38% with latent iron deficiency (hemoglobin > 11 g/dl and S. ferritin ? 30 ng/ml). The latter group had significantly lower hemoglobin (P=0.03), and %Hypo-He (P<0.001) than iron replete women. While neither MCV, MCH, reticulocyte counts, Ret-He, or RBC-He were different. Furthermore, %Hypo-He was significantly negatively correlated with serum ferritin (P<0.001) and had a fair discriminating power between latent iron deficiency and iron replete status. Conclusion: High prevalence of latent iron deficiency was documented among pregnant women in their first trimester; Furthermore, %Hypo-He was a better red cell index to screen for it.  Because of its high frequency and anticipated impact on fetal and maternal health, routine screening for latent iron deficiency in pregnancy may be warranted. https://amj.khcms.edu.krd/index.php/main/article/view/534Latent Iron deficiencyPregnancyRed cell indices
spellingShingle Haliz Salman Sulaiman
Firdous Hussein Ahmed
Nasir Al-Allawi
The Utility of Hypochromic Markers in the Detection of Latent Iron Deficiency in Women in their First Trimester of Pregnancy
Advanced Medical Journal
Latent Iron deficiency
Pregnancy
Red cell indices
title The Utility of Hypochromic Markers in the Detection of Latent Iron Deficiency in Women in their First Trimester of Pregnancy
title_full The Utility of Hypochromic Markers in the Detection of Latent Iron Deficiency in Women in their First Trimester of Pregnancy
title_fullStr The Utility of Hypochromic Markers in the Detection of Latent Iron Deficiency in Women in their First Trimester of Pregnancy
title_full_unstemmed The Utility of Hypochromic Markers in the Detection of Latent Iron Deficiency in Women in their First Trimester of Pregnancy
title_short The Utility of Hypochromic Markers in the Detection of Latent Iron Deficiency in Women in their First Trimester of Pregnancy
title_sort utility of hypochromic markers in the detection of latent iron deficiency in women in their first trimester of pregnancy
topic Latent Iron deficiency
Pregnancy
Red cell indices
url https://amj.khcms.edu.krd/index.php/main/article/view/534
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