Premium
Marked increase in serum transferrin receptor among Thai children with Hb‐E‐β‐thalassaemia
Author(s) -
Boonchalermvichian C,
Paritpokee N,
Bhokaisawan N,
Nuchprayoon I,
Wiwanitkit V
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
journal of paediatrics and child health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.631
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1440-1754
pISSN - 1034-4810
DOI - 10.1046/j.1440-1754.2002.00062.x
Subject(s) - medicine , soluble transferrin receptor , gastroenterology , beta thalassaemia , population , transferrin , hematology , regimen , hemoglobinopathy , thalassemia , transferrin receptor , pediatrics , anemia , iron status , iron deficiency , hemolytic anemia , environmental health
Objective: To determine the serum transferrin receptor (sTfR) level in patients with Hb‐E‐β‐thalassaemia attending a paediatric haematology clinic. Methods: Sixty‐four patients with Hb‐E‐β‐thalassaemia aged 2.9−10.8 years were attending a paediatric haematology clinic at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand. Circulating transferrin receptor was measured, as was the complete blood count and percentage of reticulocytes. A transfusion regimen recommended by the Thalassaemia International Federation was used whenever parents agreed to the treatment. Results: In patients with Hb‐E‐β‐thalassaemia, the concentration of sTfR varied from 1.88 to 28.44 mg/L (mean ± SD 13.99 ± 5.37), while in the control group, it varied from 0.95 to 2.56 mg/L (mean ± SD 1.58 ± 0.41; n = 31). The sTfR level correlated inversely to a single measurement of haemoglobin in the same specimen ( r = − 0.433; P = 0.00) and was elevated compared to the control group ( P = 0.00; α < 0.05). In addition, the sTfR level correlated inversely to mean pre‐transfusion haemoglobin ( r = − 0.36; P = 0.003). Conclusions: The level of sTfR is elevated in children with Hb‐E‐β‐thalassaemia. The sTfR level can be used as an adjunct real‐time assessment of erythropoietic activity, comparable with mean pre‐transfusion haemoglobin. Measurement of sTfR is easy using most automated chemical analyzers, and material can be obtained from routine specimen collections. Further studies should be carried out in a larger population to verify the benefits of this test to patients.