Lieke Uijterschout1, Dorine W Swinkels2, Marjolijn D Akkermans3, Thomas Zandstra3, Marianne Nuijsink3, Daniëlle Hendriks3, Cisca Hudig4, Harrold Tjalsma2, Rimke Vos5, Johannes B van Goudoever6, Frank Brus3. 1. Department of Pediatrics, Juliana Children's Hospital/HAGA Teaching Hospital, Sportlaan 600, 2566 MJ The Hague, The Netherlands. Electronic address: l.uijterschout@hagaziekenhuis.nl. 2. Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Genetic, Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein-Zuid 10, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Hepcidinanalysis.com, Geert Grooteplein 10 (830), 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands. 3. Department of Pediatrics, Juliana Children's Hospital/HAGA Teaching Hospital, Sportlaan 600, 2566 MJ The Hague, The Netherlands. 4. Department of Clinical Chemistry, HAGA Hospital, Sportlaan 600, 2566 MJ The Hague, The Netherlands. 5. HagaAcademy, Haga Teaching Hospital, The Hague, The Netherlands. 6. Department of Pediatrics, VU University Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Pediatrics, Emma Children's Hospital - Academic Medical Center, Meidreefweg 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The value of ferritin in the diagnosis of iron deficiency is limited in patients with CF since it increases in the presence of inflammation. We hypothesized that the soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) and hepcidin may provide more information than ferritin in assessing iron status in children with CF. METHODS: We analyzed sTfR and hepcidin in relation to conventional iron status indicators in 49 children with CF. RESULTS: We found no differences in sTfR concentration between children with and those without ID. sTfR concentrations were within the normal range in all children. Hepcidin concentrations were low, and concentrations below the limit of detection were observed in 25% of the clinically stable children. CONCLUSION: The sTfR is not useful to determine the iron status in this population, whereas hepcidin might serve as an early indicator of deficient iron stores in children with CF.
BACKGROUND: The value of ferritin in the diagnosis of iron deficiency is limited in patients with CF since it increases in the presence of inflammation. We hypothesized that the soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) and hepcidin may provide more information than ferritin in assessing iron status in children with CF. METHODS: We analyzed sTfR and hepcidin in relation to conventional iron status indicators in 49 children with CF. RESULTS: We found no differences in sTfR concentration between children with and those without ID. sTfR concentrations were within the normal range in all children. Hepcidin concentrations were low, and concentrations below the limit of detection were observed in 25% of the clinically stable children. CONCLUSION: The sTfR is not useful to determine the iron status in this population, whereas hepcidin might serve as an early indicator of deficient iron stores in children with CF.