The usefulness of soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) in differentiating anemia occurring in young children

We evaluated the usefulness of soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) and of the sTfR/log ferritin index (sTfR/logF) in the differentiation of anemia in young children. 96 children, aged 6-36 months, were examined. From these, four groups were distinguished: 1 - (IDA): 33 children with anemia due to iron deficiency; 2 (IA): 19 children with infectious anemia without iron deficiency; 3 - (IA + ID): 16 children with infectious anemia and iron deficiency; and 4 - a comparator group (CG): 28 healthy children without iron deficiency. The soluble transferrin receptor, hematological indices and iron balance were evaluated and the sTfR/logF was calculated for each examined child. It was proved that the mean values of sTfR and sTfR/logF were substantially higher in children with anemia due to iron deficiency, and in those with infectious anemia and iron deficiency, vs. those with infectious anemia or in healthy children. This suggests that both sTfR and the sTfR/logF are good indicators of iron deficiency and could be useful in the differential diagnostics of anemia, especially in young children. (Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica 2012, Vol. 50, No. 3, 473-479)