Differences in Third-trimester Hepcidin Levels between Preeclamptic and Normotensive Pregnancies at a Tertiary Referral Center in Indonesia

Aims and background: Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy-related condition that typically arises after 20 weeks of gestation, marked by abnormal placental blood vessel constriction and impaired endothelial function.Normally, hepcidin levels decrease as pregnancy progresses.However, in PE, elevated hepcidin concentrations have been observed, reflecting its role in inflammatory responses and oxidative stress.Evaluating hepcidin levels in PE is important to understand the body's protective mechanisms against inflammation in this condition.This study aims to assess the association of hepcidin levels in women diagnosed with PE relative to those experiencing uncomplicated pregnancies.Materials and methods: This case-control study involved 30 third-trimester pregnant women at the University of North Sumatra Hospital, consisting of 15 women with PE and 15 with normal pregnancies.Hepcidin concentrations were evaluated and contrasted across both groups.Differences in mean levels were analyzed utilizing the Mann-Whitney U test. Results:The mean hepcidin level in the PE group was 16.18 ± 7.13 ng/dL, whereas in the normal pregnancy group, it was 3.15 ± 2.33 ng/dL.The statistical evaluation revealed a notable disparity in hepcidin levels between the two groups (p < 0.001), with higher hepcidin concentrations observed in women with PE.Conclusion: There is a significant difference in third-trimester hepcidin levels between preeclamptic and normotensive pregnant women, with higher levels observed in the PE group.Clinical significance: Hepcidin assessment could function as an indicator to support early identification and prediction of PE.