Hepcidin levels are low during pregnancy and increase around delivery in women without iron deficiency - A prospective cohort study

Objective: To investigate hepcidin during pregnancy, delivery and postpartum in women with sufficient iron supplementation.Methods: Hepcidin was measured using LC-MS spectroscopy in 37 women during pregnancy, delivery and postpartum period in this longitudinal study.Results: Hepcidin was low during pregnancy and increased at delivery and postpartum. No correlations with inflammatory markers or iron metabolism were observed during pregnancy; at delivery a correlation with inflammatory markers was observed.Conclusion: During pregnancy, in women with sufficient iron supplementation, hepcidin is low and does not reflect iron status. During delivery and the postpartum period, hepcidin functions as a marker of inflammation.