Are Maternal Diabetes and Preeclampsia Independent Simulators of Fetal Erythropoietin Production?

ABSTRACT

To determine if diabetes and preeclampsia are independent stimulators of erythropoietin, distinct from hypoxia, we measured umbilical cord plasma erythropoietin in 239 deliveries from 24 to 40 weeks of gestation. Mean plasma erythropoietin levels were not different between normal, diabetic, and preeclamptic women when all deliveries were analyzed. When infants with suspected intrauterine hypoxia were excluded, the mean erythropoietin level was considerably lower within all three groups but there was no difference among the groups. In suspected hypoxia, the mean fetal erythropoietin was elevated, but there was no difference between control, diabetic, or preeclamptic pregnancies. These results provide further support that hypoxia remains the only known stimulator of erythropoietin production in the fetus.

Keywords

Diabetes - preeclampsia - Fetal erythropoietin production - intrauterine hypoxia