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Reference values of serum transferrin receptor (sTfR) and sTfR/log ferritin index in healthy children

María A Vázquez-López1, Encarnación López-Ruzafa1, Francisco Lendinez-Molinos1

  • 1a Department of Pediatrics , Torrecárdenas Hospital , Almería , Spain.

Pediatric Hematology and Oncology
|March 8, 2016
PubMed

Insights

This study establishes reference ranges for serum transferrin receptor (sTfR) and sTfR/log ferritin (sTfR-F index) in children. These iron status biomarkers are influenced by age, erythropoietin, and BMI.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Hematology
  • Clinical Biochemistry
  • Iron Metabolism

Background:

  • Accurate assessment of iron status in children is crucial for growth and development.
  • Serum transferrin receptor (sTfR) and the sTfR/log ferritin (sTfR-F) index are emerging biomarkers for iron status.
  • Establishing pediatric-specific reference ranges is essential for reliable clinical interpretation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine reference ranges for sTfR and sTfR-F index in healthy children aged 1-11 years.
  • To investigate the relationship between these biomarkers and iron status, erythropoiesis, and other physiological factors.
  • To provide data for improved clinical assessment of iron status in pediatric populations.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study involving 902 healthy children aged 1-11 years.
  • Collection of blood samples for complete blood count, iron biomarkers, erythropoietin, C-reactive protein, sTfR, and sTfR-F index.
  • Linear multiple regression analysis to identify factors influencing sTfR and sTfR-F index variability.

Main Results:

  • Established reference intervals for sTfR (0.78-1.9 mg/L) and sTfR-F index (0.49-1.46).
  • Found that both sTfR and sTfR-F index decrease with age.
  • Identified iron biomarkers, erythropoietin, and z-score of body mass index (zBMI) as significant predictors of sTfR and sTfR-F index variability.

Conclusions:

  • The study provides essential reference ranges for sTfR and sTfR-F index in healthy children.
  • These biomarkers are influenced by age, iron status, erythropoiesis, and zBMI.
  • The findings support the clinical utility of sTfR and sTfR-F index for assessing iron status in children.

Keywords:
Healthy childreniron deficiencyserum erythropoietinserum transferrin receptorserum transferrin receptor/log ferritin index

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