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Standardized serum hepcidin values in Dutch children: Set point relative to body iron changes during childhood

Albertine E Donker1,2, Tessel E Galesloot3, Coby M Laarakkers1,4

  • 1Department of Laboratory Medicine, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.

Pediatric Blood & Cancer
|November 15, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Serum hepcidin levels in children change with age, necessitating age-specific reference ranges for accurate clinical interpretation. These findings establish new pediatric reference values for serum hepcidin and related iron indicators.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Clinical Chemistry

Background:

  • Serum hepcidin measurements in children require standardized age- and sex-specific reference ranges.
  • Establishing universal clinical decision limits for serum hepcidin in pediatrics is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To establish age- and sex-specific reference ranges for serum hepcidin in healthy children.
  • To investigate the relationship between serum hepcidin, ferritin, and transferrin saturation (TSAT) in pediatric populations.

Main Methods:

  • Serum hepcidin-25 levels were measured in 266 healthy Dutch children (0.3-17 years) using isotope dilution mass spectrometry.
  • Age- and sex-specific values for serum hepcidin, hepcidin/ferritin, and TSAT/hepcidin ratios were constructed.
  • Multivariable linear regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with serum hepcidin levels.

Main Results:

  • Serum hepcidin levels and hepcidin/ferritin ratios declined significantly after age 12.
  • TSAT/hepcidin ratios gradually increased with age.
  • Serum ferritin was the most significant correlate of serum hepcidin, explaining variance in both sexes.

Conclusions:

  • Serum hepcidin levels relative to body iron indicators are age-dependent in children.
  • The set point of serum hepcidin relative to iron stores changes throughout childhood.
Abstract

Keywords:
childferritinhepcidinpediatric reference rangestransferrin saturation

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