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Reference limits and behaviour of serum transferrin receptor in children 6-10 years of age

P Danise1, M Maconi, G Morelli

  • 1Laboratory of Hematology, Umberto I Hospital, Nocera Inferiore (Sa), Italy.

International Journal of Laboratory Hematology
|July 31, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Serum transferrin receptor (sTfR) is a useful marker for iron deficiency and erythropoiesis in children. While not definitive alone, sTfR aids in diagnosing conditions like Beta-thalassemia trait when used with other tests.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Hematology
  • Clinical Biochemistry
  • Erythropoiesis Studies

Background:

  • Serum transferrin receptor (sTfR) is primarily produced by erythroblasts and reticulocytes.
  • sTfR serves as a clinical marker for accelerated erythropoiesis and iron deficiency.
  • Assessing sTfR is valuable during periods of rapid growth in infancy, childhood, and adolescence.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate sTfR and other erythropoiesis/iron storage parameters in children aged 6-10 years.
  • To establish reference intervals for sTfR by sex and age in healthy children.
  • To compare sTfR and related markers across healthy, iron-deficient, and Beta-thalassemia trait groups.

Main Methods:

  • Analyzed sTfR, hemoglobin (Hb), MCV, CHr, Ret-He, serum ferritin, and sTfR/ferritin index in 916 children.
  • Stratified children into healthy, storage iron deficiency, and Beta-thalassemia trait groups.
  • Determined age- and sex-specific reference intervals for sTfR in healthy children.

Main Results:

  • sTfR demonstrated a slight, statistically significant age-related increase, with no significant sex differences.
  • Compared to healthy children, sTfR and other parameters varied across iron deficiency and Beta-thalassemia trait groups.
  • sTfR alone was not decisive for borderline cases but contributed to a comprehensive diagnostic panel.

Conclusions:

  • sTfR is a valuable, albeit not standalone, indicator in pediatric hematology.
  • The study established reference intervals for sTfR in children aged 6-10 years.
  • sTfR aids in the diagnostic workup of iron deficiency and Beta-thalassemia trait in pediatric populations.

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