The value of determination of serum transferrin receptor in children with iron deficiency

Objective To study the value of determination of serum transferrin receptor (sTfR) in children with iron deficiency. Methods We measured hemoglobin, sTfR and several iron related parameters in 50 normal children and 108 patients. Results It was highly co relative between the concentration of sTfR in venous and capillary blood ( P 0.001 ). The mean levels of sTfR in 50 normal children, children with iron deficient anemia and children with non iron deficient anemia were ( 1.31 ±0.33 ) mg/L, ( 9.67 ±6.97 ) mg/L and ( 1.79 ±1.14 ) mg/L respectively. There were significant differences in sTfR mean concentrations between iron deficient anemia group and other two groups ( P 0.01 ). The positive rates of sTfR in uncertain cause anemia and nonanemia groups were 34.6% and 15.9% . There were significant differences in sTfR mean concentrations in 5 patients before and after treatment ( P 0.01 ). Conclusions The determination of sTfR can be used to diagnose and distinguish the iron deficient anemia, reflect the state of iron deficiency. It also can be an index of curative effect. sTfR can be measured with capillary blood, especially suitable for children.