Objective: To evaluate the iron status and oxidative stress in the form of Malondialdehyde (MDA) in pre-eclampsia.

Materials and Methods: Study was performed on one hundred pregnant women of age ranging between 15-35 years and having gestational age between 28 to 34 weeks. Fifty obstetric patients were identified as having pre-eclampsia. Fifty healthy pregnant subjects having uncomplicated pregnancies and normotensive throughout gestation were taken as controls. Plasma was used for the estimation of MDA and serum iron, Total Iron binding Capacity (TIBC) and ferritin were estimated. Unsaturated Iron Binding Capacity (UIBC) and

%transferrin saturation were calculated. Statistical significance was determined by calculating chi square test and odd's ratio.

Results: Results depict that serum iron, ferritin and % transferrin saturation were significantly higher (P= 0.001) in pre-eclamptic women, in comparison with the control group. TIBC and UIBC were significantly lower (P=0.001) in pre-eclamptic group. MDA level was three times higher in pre-eclamptic subjects than the controls.

Conclusion: It is concluded that, decreased TIBC leads to increased serum Iron, ferritin and % transferrin saturation. Excess iron is postulated as causal factor in the oxidative stress shown by increased MDA, which may be involved in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia. Therefore iron status of pregnant women should be assessed before giving iron supplements as these may cause more harm than benefit.