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Obesity modulate serum hepcidin and treatment outcome of iron deficiency anemia in children: a case control study

Mohammed Sanad1, Mohammed Osman, Amal Gharib

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt. zanad_zanad2005@yahoo.com

Italian Journal of Pediatrics
|July 21, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Obesity elevates hepcidin levels in children with iron deficiency anemia (IDA), leading to a poorer response to oral iron therapy. This highlights a critical factor in treating pediatric IDA in obese populations.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Hematology
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Hepcidin expression is elevated in adipose tissue of severely obese individuals.
  • Understanding the impact of obesity on hepcidin and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) treatment outcomes in children is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of obesity on serum hepcidin levels in children with IDA.
  • To assess the influence of obesity on the treatment response to oral iron therapy in pediatric IDA.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study involving 70 children with IDA (35 obese, 35 non-obese) and 30 healthy controls.
  • Assessed iron status parameters and serum hepcidin levels before and after 3 months of oral iron therapy.

Main Results:

  • Serum hepcidin was lower in non-obese IDA children and higher in obese IDA children compared to controls (p < 0.01).
  • Non-obese IDA children showed a significant increase in hepcidin after iron therapy (P < 0.01), while obese children did not (p > 0.05).
  • Hepcidin correlated positively with Hb, serum iron, and transferrin saturation in non-obese children, but negatively in obese children (P < 0.05).

Conclusions:

  • Obesity is associated with increased hepcidin levels in children with iron deficiency anemia.
  • Elevated hepcidin in obese children with IDA correlates with a diminished response to oral iron therapy.
Abstract

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