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  • Original Article
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Elevated zinc protoporphyrin/heme ratios in umbilical cord blood after diabetic pregnancy

Journal of Perinatology volume 26, pages 671–676 (2006)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective:

Offspring of diabetes patients may suffer from tissue iron deficiency. Erythrocyte zinc protoporphyrin/heme (ZnPP/H) ratios measure impaired iron status. The aim of the study was to examine whether cord ZnPP/H ratios were associated with pregnancy glycemic control.

Methods:

ZnPP/H was measured in cord blood from 31 pregnancies with insulin-treated diabetes (diabetes group) and compared to population normal values. Maternal glycemic control was assessed by daily glucose log, glycosylated hemoglobin and birth weight.

Results:

Median cord ZnPP/H was higher in the diabetes group than the population normal values (106 (65.2 to 146.8)?μ M/M vs 68.2 (37.6 to 98.8)?μ M/M, P<0.0001). Ratios were directly correlated to surrogates of control (glycosylated hemoglobin, P=0.05, and birth weight, P<0.04). Cord ZnPP/H ratios from pregnancies with pre-existing and gestational diabetes were similar.

Conclusion:

Because cord ZnPP/H was higher in large offspring of diabetic pregnancy, it might identify greater iron utilization for fetal erythropoiesis.

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the assistance of John A Widness, MD, Michael K Georgieff, MD, David G Lott, MD and Carrie Daniel. This work was supported by grant from the American Heart Association, Southwest Affiliate (SW-GS-16-98) (PJK) and a gift from the Sparks family to the University of Arizona Children's Research Center (PJK).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Pediatrics, The University of Arizona Health Sciences Center, Tucson, AZ, USA

    K B Lesser

  2. Coon Rapids Women's Health, Coon Rapids, MN, USA

    S B Schoel

  3. University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA

    P J Kling

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  1. K B Lesser
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Correspondence to P J Kling.

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Lesser, K., Schoel, S. & Kling, P. Elevated zinc protoporphyrin/heme ratios in umbilical cord blood after diabetic pregnancy. J Perinatol 26, 671–676 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7211600

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