Erythroferrone (ERFE) is a recently identified iron-regulatory hormone that couples iron homeostasis to erythropoiesis but at this time there are no human data on this hormone in pregnant women and their neonates. The investigators hypothesize that ERFE is a sensitive biomarker of iron deficiency and anemia in pregnancy and neonates, and that it mediates the feedback mechanism to correct iron deficiency and anemia. To address this research gap, the investigators will measure ERFE in maternal serum, umbilical cord serum and placental tissue using an existing biospecimen archive.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
338
Rochester Adolescent Maternity Program
Rochester, New York, United States
Strong Memorial Hospital
Rochester, New York, United States
Maternal Erythroferrone During Pregnancy
Time frame: Measures will be obtained from maternal blood collected throughout the 40 weeks of pregnancy
Maternal Erythroferrone at Delivery
Time frame: Measures will be obtained from maternal blood collected at delivery
Neonatal Erythroferrone at Birth
Time frame: Measures will be obtained from umbilical cord blood collected at delivery
Placental Erythroferrone mRNA and Ferroportin protein Expression
Time frame: Measures will be obtained from placental samples collected at delivery
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