The aim of this study was to investigate the level of serum cytokines in different periods of pregnancy associated with anemia. 85 pregnant patients with anemia were examined. 46 of them were in their first pregnancy (1st group), and 39 (2nd group) patients were in their second or further pregnancy period. The comparison group consisted of 19 pregnant women without anemia. The level of hemoglobin and serum iron were determined by using colorimetric method, as well as the level of cytokines IL-2, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10 were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. The results showed a significant decrease in hemoglobin and serum iron level in the blood of pregnant women with anemia, significant increase in proinflammatory ytokines, such as IL-2 and IL-8, and a significant decrease in IL-10 compared with pregnant women without anemia were also detected. The most pronounced changes in the cytokine profile were observed in the third trimester and during second or futher pregnancy, which is caused by the progression of anemia.
Keywords: anemia pregnancy; cytokines; iron metabolism.