Absorption of Heme and Non-Heme Iron in Pregnant and Non-pregnant Women and Mechanisms of Fetal Iron Transfer

Status:	Archived
Conditions:	Iron Deficiency Anemia, Anemia
Therapuetic Areas:	Hematology
Healthy:	No
Age Range:	Any
Updated:	7/1/2011
Start Date:	May 2008
End Date:	February 2011

The three specific aims of this study are 1) to assess the impact of iron status on relative
differences in absorption of heme and non-heme iron among pregnant women and non-pregnant
women, 2) to assess the magnitude and the determinants of heme and non-heme iron transfer to
the fetus over the last trimester of pregnancy, and 3) to characterize relationships between
placental iron binding proteins with the enrichment of stable iron isotopes in the neonate
at birth. The investigators hypothesize that there will be up regulation of heme and
non-heme iron absorption and up regulation of placental iron transport proteins in response
to low maternal iron stores.

To measure the absorption of heme and non-heme iron in women, pregnant and non-pregnant
women will consume a standardized meal of pork (intrinsically labeled with 58Fe) and a
second meal of non-heme 57Fe (as ferrous sulfate). Two weeks after ingesting these test
meals, a blood sample will be collected from each women and the amount of heme (58Fe) and
non-heme (57Fe) iron incorporated into red blood cells will be measured with magnetic sector
thermal ionization mass spectrometry. Cord blood samples and placental tissue will be
obtained at delivery to measure how these two forms of dietary iron were transferred across
the placenta to the fetus. Maternal and neonatal iron status and placental proteins involved
in iron transport will also be measured. Data from this study will provide information that
aims to improve human health by better understanding the iron requirements of a population
at high risk of iron deficiency.

We found this trial at

sites

Strong Memorial Hospital (University of Rochester School of Medicine)

601 Elmwood Ave
Rochester, New York 14642

(585) 275-2100