Serum maternal hepcidin levels 3 days after delivery are higher compared to those measured at parturition.

Aim: Our aim was to investigate the levels of hepcidin at parturition and 3 days after delivery and to relate hepcidin levels to parameters of iron homeostasis.

Materials And Methods: We measured hepcidin levels with mass spectrometry in serum samples of 38 term pregnant women taken just prior to and 3 days after vaginal delivery (n = 23) or cesarean section (CS) (n = 15). Hepcidin levels were related to iron homeostasis parameters and interleukin (IL)-6 levels. Parameters measured before and after delivery were compared with the Wilcoxon test.

Results: Serum iron levels (median, interquartile range) decreased (14.3, 9.6-21.1 vs. 8.9, 6.8-11.5 µmol/L, P < 0.01), while hepcidin levels increased (2.73, 2.2-3.45 vs. 10.62, 6.70-15.89 µg/L, P < 0.01) by the third day after parturition compared to those measured before delivery. IL-6 levels were comparable before and after delivery. No direct association between serum hepcidin and iron homeostasis parameters or IL-6 levels was found.

Conclusions: Factors triggering hepcidin synthesis dominate 3 days after delivery. Studies are needed to assess the contribution of hepcidin to iron homeostasis during the periparturition period.