TY  - JOUR
AU  - Odungide, Esther E.
AU  - Emokpae, Loveth A.
AU  - Aikoriogie, Orobosa
AU  - Obasuyi, Grace E.
AU  - Babatunde, Elizabeth M.
AU  - Emokpae, Mathias A.
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/06/24
TI  - Iron Demand and Regulation in Early Pregnancy: A Study of Erythropoietin, Hepcidin, and Iron Status at First Booking
JO  - Recent Progress in Nutrition
SP  - 011
VL  - 06
IS  - 02
AB  - During pregnancy, the increased demand for elemental iron makes pregnant women particularly susceptible to iron deficiency anemia. The management of iron homeostasis and erythropoiesis is controlled by hepcidin and erythropoietin. A comprehensive assessment that incorporates the stimulus, the regulatory gatekeeper (hepcidin), and the resulting iron status provides a robust, mechanistic framework for comprehending the initial disruptions in iron metabolism during pregnancy. This study aims to evaluate alterations in iron metabolism and erythropoietic activity among pregnant women by assessing serum erythropoietin, hepcidin, and iron status indices, and to determine the influence of gestational age at antenatal registration and anaemia status on these parameters. Serum erythropoietin (EPO), urinary hepcidin (Hep), serum iron parameters, and complete blood count were evaluated in 200 pregnant women at their initial antenatal booking and in 150 non-pregnant women of reproductive age using standard methodologies. A total of thirty-eight (19.0%) of the pregnant women registered at ≤12 weeks of gestation, while 162 (81.0%) registered after 12 weeks of gestation. The average serum EPO and total iron-binding capacity were significantly elevated (p < 0.05). In contrast, Hep, ferritin, iron, and transferrin percentage saturation were notably decreased (p < 0.05) in pregnant women compared with their non-pregnant counterparts. Serum iron and ferritin levels in pregnant women who registered at ≤12 weeks of pregnancy were significantly higher (p < 0.05). In contrast, Hep, total iron-binding capacity, and percentage saturation transferrin were considerably lower (p < 0.05) in women who registered for antenatal care at ≤12 weeks compared to those who registered at >12 weeks of pregnancy. The average serum EPO and Hep levels in anaemic pregnant women were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than those in non-anaemic pregnant women. However, serum ferritin, iron, total iron-binding capacity, and percentage saturation transferrin were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in anaemic pregnant women compared to their non-anaemic counterparts. These findings indicate that pregnancy is associated with marked alterations in iron metabolism, characterized by increased erythropoietic activity and reduced iron stores. The significantly elevated serum erythropoietin and total iron-binding capacity, alongside decreased ferritin, serum iron, hepcidin, and transferrin saturation, suggest increased iron demand and relative iron deficiency among pregnant women. Early antenatal registration (≤12 weeks) appears beneficial, as it is associated with better iron status and more favorable regulatory profiles compared to late registration. Overall, the results underscore the importance of early antenatal care and timely monitoring of iron status to prevent and manage iron deficiency and anaemia during pregnancy.
SN  - 2771-9871
UR  - https://doi.org/10.21926/rpn.2602011
DO  - 10.21926/rpn.2602011
ID  - Odungide2026
ER  -