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Percentile estimates for transferrin receptor in normal infants 9-15 mo of age
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Canada.
Insights
This study establishes reference ranges for transferrin receptor (TfR) in healthy infants. These findings provide crucial data for diagnosing iron deficiency in this high-risk population.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Medicine
- Clinical Biochemistry
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Iron deficiency is a significant health concern in infants.
- Transferrin receptor (TfR) is a sensitive indicator of tissue iron deficiency.
- Normative data for TfR in infants is lacking, hindering diagnosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish percentile estimates of plasma transferrin receptor (TfR) concentrations in healthy infants aged 9-15 months.
- To provide a reference standard for the diagnosis of iron deficiency in infants.
- To assess the relationship between TfR and other iron status indicators.
Main Methods:
- Plasma TfR was measured in 485 healthy infants across four Canadian cities.
- Infant demographics and socioeconomic factors were considered.
- Statistical analysis was performed to determine percentile estimates and associations.
Main Results:
- The mean plasma TfR concentration was 4.4 +/- 1.1 mg/L.
- No significant differences in TfR were observed based on sex or age within the 9-15 month range.
- Plasma TfR was not associated with hemoglobin, serum ferritin, or free erythrocyte protoporphyrin.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first percentile estimates for plasma TfR in healthy infants.
- The established reference data can serve as a valuable tool for diagnosing iron deficiency in infants.
- Further research may validate TfR's utility in infant iron status assessment.
Abstract:
To establish percentile estimates of transferrin receptor (TfR) for healthy infants, plasma TfR was measured in 485 healthy infants 9-15 mo of age from Edmonton, Toronto, Montreal, and Halifax. Education and income of the sample families were reflective of the average family based on the 1991 census estimates. The mean (+/-SD) plasma TfR concentration was 4.4 +/- 1.1 mg/L. As expected in the infant population, there were no differences in TfR concentrations as a result of sex, and within this small age range there was no significant change across age. Furthermore, the TfR concentration in plasma was not associated with hemoglobin, serum ferritin, or free erythrocyte protoporphyrin. TfR has been shown to be a sensitive, quantitative measure of tissue iron deficiency not affected by inflammation and is potentially important in the diagnosis of iron deficiency, but there is a lack of normative data, particularly in infants, who are at highest risk of iron deficiency. If TfR proves useful in the diagnosis of iron deficiency, the current data will be useful as a reference standard for healthy infants.