Comparative Study of Iron-related Parameters in Pregnant Women of Advanced and Younger Maternal Age groups in Calabar, Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: Gestational anaemia is at the forefront of the many health challenges confronting maternal health. It often stems from micronutrient deficiencies particularly found in low-income countries. Iron deficiency has been observed as the most common micronutrient deficiency. Iron deficiency anaemia in pregnancy is associated with adverse outcomes such as preterm birth, low birth weight, and maternal complications such as fatigue. While population differences may exist in this regard, the effect of aging on iron-related parameters of pregnant women needs to be studied.

Methods The pregnant women consisted of equal numbers of those at advanced maternal age (from 35 years of age) and younger subjects. Blood sample was appropriately obtained from each subject for assessment of red cell and iron parameters. Microhaematocrit and cyanmethaemoglobin methods were employed for the measurement of packed cell volume and haemoglobin concentration respectively, while the iron parameters were assayed by colorimetric methods. Transferrin saturation was mathematically derived. Results are expressed as Mean±SD, while student t-test was used for analysis of data on SPSS version 22.0. Statistical significance was drawn at a p≤ 0.05.

Results: Pregnant women of advanced maternal age had significantly lower mean values than the younger pregnant women for serum iron (12.68 ± 1.76 µmol/L compared to 16.26 ± 2.22 µmol/L), transferrin saturation (21.37±4.69% compared to 32.04±7.51%), packed cell volume (0.34 ± 0.03l/l compared to 0.37 ± 0.03l/l) and haemoglobin concentration (114.16 ± 10.42g/l compared to 126.32 ± 11.68g/l). The TIBC was significantly higher in those at advanced age than the younger ones (60.29 ± 4.71 µmol/L, compared to 51.90 ± 5.20 µmol/L).

Conclusion: Pregnant women of advanced maternal age had lower circulating iron and red blood cell values than younger pregnant women.