ABSTRACT
Preterm delivery remains a critical global health concern, with numerous adverse consequences for both neonate and healthcare systems. Understanding the relationship between maternal ferritin levels, as a marker of iron status, and the risk of preterm birth is the focal point of this comprehensive review. We provide insights into the multifaceted nature of this connection, highlighting factors that influence maternal ferritin levels, including dietary intake, genetic and physiological variations, comorbidities, and iron supplementation. While evidence suggests an association between low maternal ferritin levels and preterm birth, causality remains elusive, necessitating further research with robust study designs. The potential mechanisms linking maternal iron status to preterm birth, such as inflammation, infection, and oxidative stress, are explored, underscoring the need for in-depth investigations. This comprehensive review emphasizes the clinical importance of assessing and monitoring maternal ferritin levels in prenatal care and advocates for public health initiatives to raise awareness and provide targeted interventions, particularly in high-risk populations. As we strive to address these unanswered questions and embark on innovative research directions, the aim is to ultimately enhance our understanding of the complex relationship between maternal iron status and preterm birth, leading to improved maternal and child health outcomes.
ABSTRACT
Preterm labor, regarded as the onset of labor before 37 weeks of gestation, is a highly prevalent issue in obstetrics with repercussions for neonatal health. This review article presents an in-depth analysis of the alliance between serum magnesium levels and preterm labor. The review explores the physiological roles of magnesium right through pregnancy, including its significance for energy metabolism, smooth muscle contraction, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), and protein synthesis. It addresses cellular transport and the homeostasis of magnesium. The pathophysiological processes encompassing inflammation, oxidative stress, calcium regulation, smooth muscle contractility, and neuroendocrine pathways are investigated. The review evaluates epidemiological studies investigating the alliance between serum magnesium levels and preterm labor. The review incorporates an assortment of study varieties, such as observational studies, case-control studies, prospective cohort studies, and meta-analyses. In the course of reviewing the prognostic relevance of serum magnesium levels in premature labor, therapeutic implications involving diagnostic precision, prognostic significance, and therapeutic response assessment have additionally been addressed. Therapeutic interventions targeting magnesium levels, such as magnesium supplementation, tocolytic therapy, and the role of magnesium in antenatal corticosteroid administration, are explored. This review provides an in-depth evaluation of the correlation between serum magnesium levels and preterm labor, stressing its therapeutic significance and repercussions for future research and treatment strategies.