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Immunoassay-based serum hepcidin reference range measurements in healthy children: differences among age groups
Triantafyllia Sdogou1, Charalampos Tsentidis, Dimitrios Gourgiotis
1Second Department of Pediatrics, "P and A Kyriakou" Children's Hospital, Athens University Medical School, Athens, Greece.
Journal of Clinical Laboratory Analysis
|March 25, 2014
Summary
This study establishes normal serum hepcidin levels in healthy children aged 2-12. Higher hepcidin concentrations were observed in older children, suggesting age-related changes in iron metabolism.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Iron Metabolism Research
- Clinical Chemistry
Background:
- Hepcidin is a crucial peptide hormone regulating iron homeostasis.
- Abnormal hepcidin levels are linked to inflammatory and inherited iron disorders.
- Defining normal pediatric hepcidin ranges is essential for clinical diagnosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish reference ranges for serum hepcidin concentrations in healthy children.
- To investigate potential differences in hepcidin levels based on gender and age.
- To provide a baseline for comparing pediatric hepcidin values with adult data.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples from 180 healthy children (2-12 years) were analyzed.
- An established immunoassay kit was used for hepcidin quantification.
- Data were stratified by gender and age groups for statistical analysis.
Main Results:
- Median serum hepcidin values were 46.94 ng/ml for boys and 46.79 ng/ml for girls.
- No significant gender-based differences in hepcidin levels were found.
- Significantly higher hepcidin concentrations were observed in older children (10-12 years).
Conclusions:
- This study provides crucial reference values for serum hepcidin in a pediatric population.
- Increased hepcidin in older children may reflect differing growth rates and iron demands.
- Findings highlight potential age-related variations in iron metabolism from childhood to adulthood.
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