Abstract

Aim: It is still contoversial that maternal iron deficiency affects iron status of the newborns and early infants. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of iron deficiency of late pregncmcy on the iron status of the newborns and early infants and to define soluble transferrin receptar (sTfR)'s role in the these assessments. Methods: Seventy-eight pregnant women who were admitted for term delivery in SSK Ege Gynecology and Obstetry Clinics and their 78 full-term babies were included in the study. Erythrocyte indexes, ferritin and sTfR levels were studied both in the mothers (within the last 24 hrs before delivery) and their babies (umblical cord blood and venous blood at the end of 4th month). Erythrocyte indexes were studied with an automatic coulter (Symex SE, 9000); ferritin and sTfR levels were studied with an immunoturbidimetric method and nephelometric method (Dade Behring, Dutch), respectively. Ferritin< 15ngld/ and/or sTfR>1.8 mg/d/ were accepted as "iron deficient" both for the mothers and the babies. In addition, Hb