Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 17, 2026
08:45
Quantitating Iron Transport Across the Mouse Placenta In Vivo Using Nonradioactive Iron Isotopes
Published on: May 10, 2022
2.4K
Post-transfusion changes in serum hepcidin and iron parameters in preterm infants
Fotini Stripeli1, John Kapetanakis1, Dimitris Gourgiotis2
1Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, P&A Kyriakou Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Summary
Serum hepcidin levels increase after packed red blood cell transfusions in preterm infants. These changes, along with immature reticulocyte fraction (IRF) and high-light-scatter reticulocytes (HLR), may help assess iron status in neonates.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Hematology
- Pediatric Iron Metabolism
Background:
- Packed red blood cell transfusions are a common intervention for preterm neonates.
- Hepcidin regulates iron levels, but its role in transfused preterm infants is not well understood.
- Immature reticulocyte fraction (IRF) and high-light-scatter reticulocytes (HLR) are key indicators of iron metabolism.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate serum hepcidin concentrations in preterm infants following transfusion.
- To establish hematological parameters related to iron metabolism post-transfusion.
- To explore the relationship between hepcidin and iron status indicators in this population.
Main Methods:
- Blood samples were collected from 19 preterm neonates (mean gestational age 29.1 weeks) before and at 5 days and 1 month after transfusion.
- Serum hepcidin levels were measured.
- Iron parameters including IRF and HLR were assessed.
Main Results:
- Serum hepcidin significantly increased 5 days post-transfusion (5.5 vs 10 ng/mL, P = 0.005).
- IRF and % HLR significantly decreased 5 days post-transfusion (P = 0.009 and P = 0.012, respectively).
- Changes in hepcidin correlated with mean corpuscular hemoglobin, total iron binding capacity, and transferrin levels.
Conclusions:
- Serum hepcidin, IRF, and HLR show potential for assessing iron status before and after transfusion in preterm infants.
- Further research with larger cohorts is recommended to determine the sensitivity and specificity of hepcidin compared to standard iron parameters.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test
212
In clinical practice, the direct measurement of hepatic blood flow to evaluate liver function presents significant challenges due to the intricate and specialized nature of the necessary techniques. Consequently, healthcare professionals often rely on empirical estimates derived from thorough patient examinations and liver function tests to gauge liver health. Among the tools at their disposal, the Child–Pugh and MELD scoring systems stand out for their ability to categorize and assess...
212
01:28The Early Endosome: Endocytosis of Transferrin
4.9K
Essential proteins such as insulin or low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and micronutrients such as iron enter a eukaryotic cell through receptor-mediated endocytosis. Subsequently, the early endosomes fuse with the vesicles containing such receptor-ligand complexes and play a vital role in sorting the incoming ligands and receptors. While the ligands are either degraded inside the vesicle or released into the cytosol, their receptors are returned to the plasma membrane for further rounds of...
4.9K
01:26Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Drug Dosing and Hepatic Blood Flow
257
Chronic liver disease significantly impacts drug metabolism due to alterations in hepatic blood flow and enzyme accessibility. This disruption affects the body's pharmacokinetics—the movement and processing of drugs within the system. Key enzymes crucial for metabolizing medications become less accessible, changing how drugs are processed and utilized. Furthermore, liver disease influences the synthesis of plasma proteins, such as albumin and globulins, which play critical roles in drug...
257
01:24Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism
256
In pediatric care, understanding the nuances of hepatic drug metabolism is crucial, as it significantly differs from that of adults. This divergence is primarily due to the developmental stage of drug-metabolizing enzymes, which affects how medications are processed in the body. In neonates, for instance, the activity of Phase I enzymes—critical for the initial breakdown of drugs—is markedly reduced, functioning at just 20–40% of the levels seen in adults. This reduction poses...
256