RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Evidence of increased oxidative stress due to endothelial dysfunction in preeclampsia has been well established. Increase in the oxidative stress is catalyzed in the presence of free transitional metals. Therefore, the relationship of iron status with preeclampsia was under investigation. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to compare red blood cell (RBC) count, hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, hematocrit (Hct), RBC indices, and iron status parameters in preeclamptic and healthy pregnant women. METHOD: Blood samples were collected from 40 pregnant females diagnosed as preeclampsia and 80 normal pregnant females at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between February 2009 and January 2010. We recorded RBC count, Hb concentration, Hct, RBC indices, serum iron and ferritin levels in both the groups. RESULT: Mean serum iron in preeclampsia group was 23.48 ± 9.05, while 12.2 ± 5.21 in normal group (p <0.05). Similarly, mean serum ferritin concentration in preeclamptic and normal pregnant women were 32.56 ± 11.72 and 19.89 ± 8.86, respectively (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found among RBC count, Hb concentration, Hct, and RBC indices in both the groups. CONCLUSION: We recommend that any pregnant female with higher serum iron and ferritin concentrations should be further investigated for preeclampsia.