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Increased serum hepcidin and ghrelin levels in children treated for iron deficiency anemia

Ayse Dogan1, Bulent Alioglu, Nermin Dindar

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.

Journal of Clinical Laboratory Analysis
|January 8, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) treatment in children significantly increases serum hepcidin and ghrelin levels, suggesting iron therapy influences their synthesis. Leptin levels showed no significant change.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Hematology
  • Endocrinology
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a common pediatric condition.
  • The relationship between IDA and key hormones like leptin, hepcidin, and ghrelin requires further elucidation.
  • Understanding these hormonal changes can offer insights into IDA's pathophysiology and treatment response.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and serum levels of leptin, hepcidin, and ghrelin in children.
  • To evaluate the impact of iron supplementation on these hormonal levels in pediatric IDA patients.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective evaluation of 30 children with IDA and 28 healthy controls (6 months to 6 years).
  • IDA diagnosis based on clinical and laboratory findings.
  • Measurement of complete blood count, iron metabolism parameters, and serum leptin, hepcidin, and ghrelin before and after 3 months of iron II-glycine-sulphate complex treatment for IDA patients.

Main Results:

  • Serum leptin levels did not significantly change after iron treatment in children with IDA.
  • Serum hepcidin levels significantly increased post-iron treatment (P = 0.038) and were higher in treated IDA children compared to controls (P = 0.008).
  • Serum ghrelin levels significantly increased after iron treatment compared to pre-treatment levels (P = 0.019) and were higher than in healthy children (P = 0.000).

Conclusions:

  • Iron treatment in children with IDA leads to a significant increase in serum ghrelin and hepcidin levels.
  • The observed increases in ghrelin and hepcidin post-treatment suggest a role for iron therapy in their synthesis.
  • Further research may explore the clinical implications of these hormonal changes in IDA management.
Abstract

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