Change of Serum Transferrin Receptor (sTfR) according to the Developmental Age in Healthy Infants and Correlation to Iron Parameters

Choi, Jong Weon; Kim, Soon Ki; Pai, Soo Hwan

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Serum transferrin receptor (sTfR) level reflects iron status and the rate of erythropoiesis in bone marrow. Iron deficiency still remains one of the most common nutrient deficiency disorders among infants and young children. The purpose of this study is to investigate age-related changes in sTfR level and determine the prevalence of iron deficiency in healthy infant and young children. And we also defined the correlation between iron parameters and sTfR level.
METHODS
A total 151 healthy infants and young children aged 4 to 24 months who had been visited Inha University Hospital for vaccination was investigated for the evidence of iron deficiency. The children were divided into 3 groups according to developmental age, i.e., infants aged 4 to 6 months (n=53), infants aged 7 to 12 months (n=37), and children aged 13 to 24 months (n=61). CBC, iron parameters, and sTfR were tested and analyzed. Serum transferrin receptor was assayed by using IDeATMsTfR IEMA (soluble transferrin receptor immunoenzymometic assay, Orion Diagnostica, Orion Co, Finland) test kits.
RESULTS
The prevalence of iron deficiency was 26.0% in infants aged 4-6 months, 22.0% in 7-12 months, and 58.3% in 13-24 months. Among 151 subjects, the mean sTfR value in male children was 5.89+/-1.69mg/L and significantly higher than in female children of 5.11+/-1.92mg/L (P=0.019). The level of sTfR in male infants aged 4-6 months was 5.81mg/L and that of female infants with same age was 4.22mg/L (P=0.001). The sTfR level significantly correlated with MCV (r= -0.56, P<0.001), TIBC (r=0.44, P<0.001), and serum iron level (r=-0.42, P<0.001), however correlation between serum iron level and ferritin was poor (r=0.03, P=0.213).
CONCLUSION
Iron deficiency still prevail with high incidence in infants and young children especially children aged 13-24 months. The mean value of sTfR is different according to developmental age. Measurement of sTfR appears to be more correlative to iron status than that of ferritin. On the basis of sTfR value, iron need is greater in male infants than in female infants.