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Serum Concentration of Hepcidin as an Indicator of Iron Reserves in Children

Jelena Ćulafić1, Jovanka Kolarović1, Lato Pezo2

  • 1Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad and Institute for Child and Youth Health Care, Novi Sad, Serbia.

Journal of Medical Biochemistry
|December 26, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Serum hepcidin levels are significantly lower in anemic children and adolescents. This finding highlights serum hepcidin as a reliable indicator for assessing iron deficiency anemia in pediatric populations.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Hematology
  • Iron Metabolism Research

Background:

  • Anemia is a major contributor to maternal and child mortality globally.
  • Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a prevalent form of anemia, particularly in children and adolescents.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To measure serum hepcidin concentrations in anemic children and adolescents.
  • To compare hepcidin levels with control groups.
  • To investigate the relationship between hepcidin and iron metabolism parameters.

Main Methods:

  • Study included 173 participants: 89 with IDA and 84 controls.
  • Blood samples analyzed for complete blood count and iron metabolism.
  • Serum hepcidin levels determined using the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method.

Main Results:

  • Lower serum hepcidin concentrations observed in anemic children (4.4 ng/mL) and adolescents (4.1 ng/mL) compared to controls (14 ng/mL and 10 ng/mL, respectively).
  • Positive correlation found between serum hepcidin and serum iron, ferritin, mean corpuscular volume, and transferrin saturation.
  • Negative correlation identified between serum hepcidin and serum transferrin and reticulocytes.

Conclusions:

  • Serum hepcidin is a sensitive and reliable biomarker for assessing iron status and diagnosing iron deficiency anemia.
  • Age does not significantly affect serum hepcidin levels, enhancing its utility as an indicator.
Abstract

Keywords:
Anemiahepcidiniron deficiencymathematical modelling

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