Korean J Pediatr.  2009 Apr;52(4):435-440. 10.3345/kjp.2009.52.4.435.

Correlaton between soluble transferrin receptor concentration and inflammatory markers

• Kim SY
• Son MH
• Yeom JS
• Park JS
• Park ES
• Seo JH
• Lim JY
• Park CH
• Woo HO
• Youn HS

• KMID: 2281742
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3345/kjp.2009.52.4.435

Abstract

PURPOSE
The concentration of soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) is estimated as an iron parameter to evaluate erythropoiesis and iron status. The aim of our study is to evaluate the correlation between sTfR concentration and inflammatory parameters and to distinguish iron deficiency anemia from anemia of inflammation. METHODS: One hundred and forty-four infants younger than two years of age who visited Gyeongsang University Hospital for 7 years from 2000 to 2006 were enrolled. Patients who had hemoglobin (Hb) <11 g/dL and ferritin <12 mg/L were excluded. Routine hematologic lab, serum ferritin, sTfR, and inflammatory markers [C-reactive protein(CRP), interleukin-6(IL-6), and absolute neutrophil count (ANC)] were investigated. RESULTS: In all patients, the sTfR concentration showed a correlation with Hb, ferritin, MCV, and ANC, but not with CRP and IL-6. In multiple regression models, positive correlations were found between sTfR concentration and IL-6 (r=0.078, P=0.043), and negative correlations were found between sTfR concentration and ANC (r=-0.117, P=0.033) and MCV (r=-0.027, P=0.009). CONCLUSION: sTfR concentration was influenced by inflammatory parameters. Therefore, sTfR does not appear to be a useful parameter for discriminating between iron deficiency anemia and anemia of inflammation in infants.

Keyword

Receptor; Transferrin; Inflammation; Infant

MeSH Terms

Anemia
Anemia, Iron-Deficiency
Erythropoiesis
Ferritins
Hemoglobins
Humans
Infant
Inflammation
Interleukin-6
Iron
Neutrophils
Pyridines
Receptors, Transferrin
Thiazoles
Transferrin
Ferritins
Hemoglobins
Interleukin-6
Iron
Pyridines
Receptors, Transferrin
Thiazoles
Transferrin