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

Abstract

Abstract: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.

¿Puede usarse el receptor soluble de transferrina para diagnosticar anemia ferropénica y evaluar la respuesta al hierro en lactantes con desnutrición aguda moderada?

“…13 En la actualidad, además de un valor bajo de Hb, VCM y HCM, se aceptan la disminución de la ST y la ferritina como herramientas útiles importantes para el diagnóstico de la AF. 24 Sin embargo, las pruebas tradicionales usadas para detectar la ferropenia siguen siendo insuficientes y, excepto la ferritina, su fiabilidad diagnóstica es baja.…”

“…Cada vez más estudios investigan la utilidad del RST para diferenciar la anemia en niños. [13][14][15][16] El RST es una forma extracelular truncada del receptor de transferrina transmembranario (una glucoproteína que se expresa principalmente en las células que requieren hierro) producido mediante proteólisis. 17 La cantidad de receptores tisulares, en su mayoría células eritroides, determina la cantidad de RST.…”

Can soluble transferrin receptor be used in diagnosing iron deficiency anemia and assessing iron response in infants with moderate acute malnutrition?

“…13 Currently, besides low Hb, MCV and MCH; decreased TS and ferritin were accepted as important useful diagnostic tools for IDA. 24 However, classical tests used to detect iron deficiency remain insufficient and except ferritin have low diagnostic reliability.…”

“…[8][9][10][11][12] Increased number of studies investigated the utility of sTfR in differentiating anemia in children. [13][14][15][16] sTfR is a truncated extracellular form of the transmembrane transferrin receptor (a glycoprotein primarily expressed in cells requiring iron) produced by proteolysis. 17 The number of tissue receptors, mostly on erythroid cells, determines the Original article number of sTfR.…”