Serum Concentration of Hepcidin as an Indicator of Iron Reserves in Children

Abstract

SummaryBackgroundAnemia represents a significant cause of maternal and perinatal mortality, as well as child mortality. The aim of the research was to determine the serum concentration of hepcidin in children aged 6 months to 2 years and adolescents aged 11 to 19 years which suffer from iron deficiency anemia and compare it with the serum concentration of hepcidin in the control groups, as well as to determine its connection with the parameters of the iron metabolism.MethodsThe research included 173 examinees, 89 of them suffered from iron deficiency anemia and 84 did not suffer from iron deficiency anemia (the latter represented the control group). Blood samples were collected from all study participants. The samples were analyzed for complete blood count and parameters of iron metabolism. ELISA method was used for establishing serum hepcidin levels.ResultsThe research showed that the concentration of hepcidin is statistically lower in children (4.4 ng/mL) and adolescents (4.1 ng/mL) who suffer from iron deficiency anemia in comparison with the control group (14 ng/mL, 10 ng/mL, respectively). The positive correlation between serum hepcidin level and iron in the serum, ferritin, the mean corpuscular volume and transferrin saturation was confirmed, but the negative one occurred in serum hepcidin level, transferrin and reticulocytes.ConclusionsThe age of the examinees does not influence the level of serum hepcidin which makes it a more sensitive indicator of the level of iron in the body. Besides this, serum hepcidin is a reliable biological marker for the assessment of iron deficiency anemia.

Increased Outdoor PM2.5 Concentration Is Associated with Moderate/Severe Anemia in Children Aged 6–59 Months in Lima, Peru

“…Hepcidin, the hepatic peptide hormone in charge of controlling iron homeostasis, and ferroportin, a transmembrane receptor which exports iron into blood plasma, control the main routes of iron transport and availability and determine total body iron content [37]. Inflammation generated by PM 2.5 increases serum hepcidin levels, degrading ferroportin as a host defense mechanism [38].…”

Characteristic of Red Blood Cell Profile as a Predictor of 30-Day Clinical Outcome in Ischemic Stroke Patients

“…Hepcidin will interfere with erythropoiesis due to the release of iron from the liver and inhibiting iron uptake through enterocytes. 27 Increased IL-6 will also inhibit the proliferation of BFU-E (Burst-Forming Units-Erythroid) and CFU-E (Colony-Forming Units-Erythroid). Erythroid), which will reduce the MCV value.…”

Molecular analysis of homeostatic iron regulator, transmembrane protease serine-6, and BTB domain-containing protein-9 variants and iron parameters in blood donors

“…18 Great interindividual variation in serum hepcidin concentration was observed. 20 This implies that population-based normality values may have limitations when used for the interpretation of hepcidin concentrations. Such it appears that hepcidin values should be interpreted in the context of biochemical tests used to evaluate iron metabolism.…”

“…Based on the earlier works [ 18 , 19 ], serum hepcidin concentration and serum ferritin showed a strong association in both sexes that withstood adjustment for age, BMI, time of blood sampling, and other measured iron parameters like iron and TIBC, as well as biochemical variables such as ALT, eGFR, and CRP [ 18 ]. Great interindividual variation in serum hepcidin concentration was observed [ 20 ]. This implies that population-based normality values may have limitations when used for the interpretation of hepcidin concentrations.…”