Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2024 Jan;309(1):63-77.
doi: 10.1007/s00404-023-07032-6. Epub 2023 Apr 18.

Molecular insights into placental iron transfer mechanisms and maternofetal regulation

Sreenithi Santhakumar  1   2 , Eunice S Edison  3
Affiliations
Review

Molecular insights into placental iron transfer mechanisms and maternofetal regulation

Sreenithi Santhakumar et al. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2024 Jan.

Abstract

Purpose: Adequate iron transportation from the mother across the placenta is crucial for fetal growth and establishing sufficient iron stores in neonates at birth. The past decade has marked significant discoveries in iron metabolism with the identification of new players and mechanisms. Immunohistochemical studies rendered valuable data on the localization of substantial iron transporters on placental syncytiotrophoblasts. However, the function and regulation of maternal-placentofetal iron transporters and iron handling is still elusive and requires more attention.

Methods: A thorough literature review was conducted to gather information about placental iron transfer, the role of regulators and maintenance of iron homeostasis.

Results: The role of classical and new players in maternal-fetal iron transport and the regulation in the placenta has been addressed in this review. Animal and human studies have been discussed. The role of placental iron regulation in thalassemia and hemochromatosis pregnancies has been reviewed.

Conclusions: The current advances that highlight the mechanisms of placental iron regulation and transport in response to maternal and fetal signals have been presented.

Keywords: Iron transport; Placenta; Pregnancy.

PubMed Disclaimer

Similar articles

See all similar articles

References

    1. “WHO guidance helps detect iron deficiency and protect brain development.” https://www.who.int/news/item/20-04-2020-who-guidance-helps-detect-iron-... (accessed Dec. 23, 2022).
    1. Georgieff MK (2020) Iron deficiency in pregnancy. Am J Obstet Gynecol 223(4):516–524. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2020.03.006 - DOI - PubMed - PMC
    1. Yang Z et al (2009) Prevalence and predictors of iron deficiency in fully breastfed infants at 6 mo of age: comparison of data from 6 studies. Am J Clin Nutr 89(5):1433–1440. https://doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.2008.26964 - DOI - PubMed
    1. H. Kay, D. M. Nelson, and Y. Wang, The Placenta: From Development to Disease. Wiley, 2011.
    1. Roberts H, Bourque SL, Renaud SJ (2020) Maternal iron homeostasis: effect on placental development and function. Reproduction 160(4):R65–R78. https://doi.org/10.1530/REP-20-0271 - DOI - PubMed

Publication types

LinkOut - more resources