Erythroferrone and iron status parameters levels in pediatric patients with iron deficiency anemia

ObjectivesTo investigate the link between serum erythroferrone (ERFE) levels and iron status parameters in pediatric patients with iron deficiency anemia. MethodsThe study consisted of 66 children (36 with iron deficiency anemia and 30 healthy age- and gender-matched controls) who were investigated for serum levels of iron, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) using automated chemistry analyzer, serum ferritin using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay and ERFE by specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. ResultsSerum erythroferrone levels in iron deficiency anemia patients (191.55 83.74pg/mL) were significantly higher than those in control group (42.22 +/- 16.55pg/mL) (P<.001). In iron deficiency anemia patients, serum erythroferrone concentrations correlated negatively with hemoglobin concentration (r=-.39; P=.01), serum iron (r=-.63; P<.001), transferrin saturation (r=-.66; P<.001), and serum ferritin (r=-.46; P=.004) while positive correlation was observed between serum erythroferrone concentrations and TIBC (r=.62; P<.001) ConclusionThe newly identified erythroferrone hormone may act as physiological hepcidin suppressor in cases with iron deficiency anemia, and so it may serve as a specific promising target of therapy in such cases.