Low serum carnitine concentrations in healthy children with iron deficiency anemia

Carnitine is not only obtained from animal-derived foods but also synthesized in the body. It plays an important role in the energy metabolism of many tissues, including heart and skeletal muscles. Iron is known to be essential for the biosynthesis of carnitine. Although many conditions are well known to cause secondary carnitine deficiency, iron deficiency, which is a very common condition in children, is not well studied as a cause of secondary carnitine deficiency in humans. This study demonstrates the coexistence of iron deficiency and low carnitine levels in otherwise healthy children. The mean carnitine concentration of 18 otherwise healthy children with iron deficiency anemia was significantly lower compared to the mean carnitine concentration of healthy children without iron deficiency anemia. Based on the evidence about the effect of low iron on carnitine stores in experimental animals, we proposed that low serum carnitine levels in these children may be secondary to iron deficiency. However, further studies need to be done to further clarify this relationship.