Clinical applications of the altered iron kinetics of toxemia of pregnancy.

The previously reported elevation of serum iron in association with toxemia of pregnancy was evaluated to determine if this chemical test could be clinically useful. When patients with toxemia and pregnant women with chronic hypertension were compared, a serum iron value greater than 100 micrograms/dl or an increase greater than 70% above baseline was a sensitive and specific indicator of toxemia. The predictive value is high and exceeds that of other commonly available tests. The clinical value of this model is discussed.