Serum copper and iron status in Sudanese pregnant anemic women

Abstract EN

Objectives The objective of this work is to assess the serum levels of copper and iron in Sudanese pregnant anemic women.

A case control study was performed in the antenatal care unit at the department of obstetrics and gynecology, the National Ribat University Hospital- Sudan, during October 2012 to September 2013.

Methods The study group included seventy Sudanese pregnant anemic women with mean age (29.

5 ± 0.

7y), and thirty control group (non anemic pregnant women) age, sex and socioeconomic status matched.

Copper was measured using flameless atomic absorption, while iron profile was measured using full automated chemical analyzer.

Results The study illustrated a significant decrease in serum iron, ferritin, and iron saturation in the test group compared to the control group (42.

5 ± 1.

3) vs (97.

5 ± 4.

9μg / dl), (19.

8 ±3.

2) vs (92.

9 ±13.

1 μg / L) and (14.

3 ± 0.

7) vs (26.

5 ± 0.

7 %) (p≤ 0.

05) respectively, while serum copper and total iron binding capacity were significantly increased (242.

7 ± 2.

1) vs (201.

7 ± 2.

2 μg / L), (408.

3 ± 10.

7) vs (317.

2 ± 4.

2 μg / dl) (p≤ 0.05) respectively.

Intestinal iron absorption is inhibited by competitive high copper.

Conclusion Enough supplementation of iron is crucial during pregnancy especially in pregnant women with iron deficiency anemia.