Hepcidin Status Correlated with Biochemical Parameters and Hematological Indices among Iron Deficient Anemic Children aged (6 – 12) Years in Gaza City: A Case Control Study

Abstract

Background: Hepcidin is a small cysteine-rich peptide hormone produced in the liver. This molecule regulates the absorption of iron in the body. Recent studies demonstrated that hepcidin is a master iron regulator. Therefore, assessment of the status of hepcidin and clarifying its association in iron deficiency anemia (IDA) could constitute a promising therapy of the disease. Objective: To correlate hepcidin hormone status with some biochemical parameters among IDA children aged 6 – 12 years in Gaza City. Methods: This case-control study comprised 80 IDA children patients and 80 healthy non IDA children controls. Questionnaire interview was applied. Serum hepcidin, serum ferritin were measured by ELISA. Serum iron and total iron binding capacity (TIBC) were determined photometrically. Complete blood count (CBC) was also performed by [Cell-Dyn-1800] autoanalyser. Transferrin and transferrin saturation were calculated by different equations. Ethical considerations were observed. Data was analyzed using SPSS package version 20.0. Results: The mean level of serum hepcidin was significantly lower in IDA children patients compared to healthy non IDA children controls (P=0.001). The mean serum iron, transferrin saturation and serum ferritin in cases were significantly lower than that in controls (P=0.000). The Pearson correlation test showed negative significant correlations between hepcidin levels and serum iron (r=-0.232, P= 0.003), and negative non-significant correlation with transferrin saturation (r=-0.028, p=0.722), and positive significant correlations with serum ferritin (r=0.320 P=0.000). The mean TIBC and transferrin in cases were significantly higher than that in controls (P=0.000). Conclusions: Hepcidin is strongly correlated with serum iron, transferrin, TIBC and serum ferritin. Thus it is considered as a good marker and promising therapeutic agent of IDA. Keywords Hepcidin, Serum iron, Ferritin, Iron deficiency anemia, Gaza.