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[Soluble transferrin receptor's value in diagnosis infants and small children iron deficiency]
Elzbieta Dółka1, Barbara Kamer, Jolanta Lukamowicz
1Instytut Centrum Zdrowia Matki Polki w Łodzi, II Klinika Pediatrii i Alergologii.
Insights
Soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) testing is a reliable indicator for diagnosing iron deficiency anemia in young children. This method offers high accuracy, simplifying the diagnostic process for pediatric iron status.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Hematology
- Biochemistry
- Nutritional Science
Context:
- Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency globally, particularly affecting infants and young children.
- Accurate diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in children requires complex hematological and biochemical tests.
- Previous research on soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) for iron deficiency diagnosis has primarily focused on adults.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the utility of soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) levels for diagnosing iron deficiency anemia in children up to three years of age.
- To assess the diagnostic performance of sTfR in differentiating various iron status categories in pediatric populations.
Summary:
- This study investigated 98 children aged 6-36 months, categorizing them into five groups based on hematological and biochemical assessments, including iron deficiency anemia, latent iron deficiency, and controls.
- Soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) levels were measured in all participants, and its specificity, sensitivity, and overall accuracy were evaluated.
- Results indicated significantly higher average sTfR levels in children with iron deficiency compared to those without, with specificity and sensitivity exceeding 90% across all groups.
Impact:
- The findings suggest that sTfR level is a valuable and accurate biomarker for assessing iron status in infants and young children.
- This research provides evidence for a simpler and more effective diagnostic tool for pediatric iron deficiency, potentially improving early detection and management.
- The high accuracy of sTfR testing could streamline the diagnostic pathway for iron deficiency in pediatric care settings.
Unlabelled:
Iron deficiency is the most frequent deficiency in people, especially in infants and small children. To obtain a correct diagnosis there is need to perform complex hematological and biochemical tests. In recent years studies on soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) as an index of iron deficiency have been carried out, but mainly in adults. THE AIM OF THESE STUDIES: To estimate usefulness of signification sTfR level for iron deficiency anaemia diagnosis in children up to three years.
Material And Methods:
The study group comprised 98 children aged 6 to 36 month. Depending on haematological and biochemical results 5 groups of examined children were separated: (1) with iron deficiency anaemia, (2) with latent iron deficiency, (3) with iron deficiency and chronic diseases anaemia, (4) with periinfections anaemia and (5) control. In all examined children the level of sTfR were estimated and its specificity, sensitivity and soundness was evaluated.
Results:
Average levels of sTfR in children with iron deficiency were significantly higher compared to results in groups without iron deficiency. Specificity, sensitivity and soundness of sTfR were higher than 90% in all examined groups.
Conclusion:
An analysis of results showed that sTfR level seems to be a test which results correlate with iron status in infants and small children well.
