Am J Perinatol 1992; 9(4): 233-235
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-994778
ORIGINAL ARTICLE

© 1992 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.

Serum Erythropoietin Quantitation in Pregnancy Using an Enzyme-Linked Immunoassay

Timothy W. Harstad, Ruble A. Mason, Susan M. Cox
  • Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
04 March 2008 (online)

ABSTRACT

During normal pregnancy there is a decrease in the hematocrit due to a disproportionate increase in the blood volume compared with the red cell mass. Using a new enzyme-linked immunoassay (Amgen Diagnostics), serum erythropoietin was quantified in normal nonanemic pregnancies throughout gestation and in third trimester anemic patients. We found that the mean hematocrit in normal pregnancy reached a nadir late in the second trimester and the serum erythropoietin plateaued at a 50% increase. Those pregnancies complicated by anemia defined by a hematocrit less than 30 vol% demonstrated a statistically significant increase in serum erythropoietin above those not anemic.