Vol 50, No 3 (2012)
Original paper
Published online: 2012-10-08
The usefulness of soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) in differentiating anemia occurring in young children
DOI: 10.5603/FHC.2012.0066
Folia Histochem Cytobiol 2012;50(3):473-479.
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.
(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.
