Serum hepcidin in infants born after 32 to 37 wk of gestational age.

BACKGROUND: Preterm infants are at risk of iron deficiency (ID). Hepcidin has been suggested as a good additional indicator of ID in preterm infants, next to ferritin. METHODS: In a prospective observational study, we analyzed serum hepcidin in 111 infants born after 32+0 to 36+6 wk gestational age during the first 4 mo of life. RESULTS: Hepcidin concentrations decreased during the first 4 mo of life, and concentrations were lower in infants with ID compared to those without ID. Infants who developed ID at the age of 4 mo had already significantly lower levels of hepcidin at 1.5 mo of age, while ferritin was already significantly lower at the age of 1 wk. CONCLUSION: Hepcidin concentrations of late preterm infants decrease during the first 4 mo of life. This decrease, which parallels a decrease of ferritin concentration, we interpret as a physiological response, aiming to increase iron availability. Hepcidin concentrations are lower in infants with ID compared with those without ID, with a notable change already observed at 1.5 mo of age. Hepcidin can be used as an early marker of ID, although an additive value of hepcidin over ferritin in the diagnosis of ID is not present.

Iron intake and status of children aged 6-36 months in Europe: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional disorder in the world. Young children are particularly vulnerable to the consequences of iron deficiency because of their rapidly developing brain. This review evaluates the prevalence of inadequate iron intake and iron deficiency (anaemia) in European children aged 6-36 months. SUMMARY: Computerized searches for relevant articles were performed in November 2013. A total of 7,297 citations were screened and 44 studies conducted in 19 European countries were included in this review. In both infants (6-12 months) and young children (12-36 months), the mean value of iron intakes in most countries was close to the RDA. Nevertheless, proportions of inadequate intakes were considerable, ranging from about 10% in the Netherlands up to 50% in Austria, Finland and the United Kingdom. The prevalence of iron deficiency varied between studies and was influenced by children's characteristics. Two to 25% of infants aged 6-12 months were found to be iron deficient, with a higher prevalence in those who were socially vulnerable and those who were drinking cow's milk as a main type of drink in their first year of life. In children aged 12-36 months, prevalence rates of iron deficiency varied between 3 and 48%. Prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia in both age groups was high in Eastern Europe, as high as 50%, whereas the prevalence in Western Europe was generally below 5%. KEY MESSAGES: In most European countries, mean iron intakes of infants and children aged 6 to 36 months were found to be close to the RDA. Nevertheless, high proportions of inadequate intakes and high prevalence rates of iron deficiency were observed. Health programs should (keep) focus(ing) on iron malnutrition by educating parents on food choices for their children with iron-rich and iron-fortified foods, and encourage iron supplementation programmes where iron intakes are the lowest.

Serum hepcidin measured by immunochemical and mass-spectrometric methods and their correlation with iron status indicators in healthy children aged 0.5-3 y.

BACKGROUND: The diagnostic use of hepcidin is limited by the absence of standardization and lack of age-specific reference ranges in children in particular. The aim of this study was to determine reference ranges of serum hepcidin in healthy children aged 0.5-3 y using mass spectometry (MS) and a commercial immunochemical (IC) assay, and to investigate its association with other indicators of iron status and inflammation. METHODS: We included 400 healthy children aged 0.5-3 y. We constructed reference ranges for MS-hepcidin and IC-hepcidin concentrations using the median, P2.5, and P97.5 in a normative population of 219 children with no anemia, no infection and/or inflammation, and no iron deficiency. RESULTS: Median concentrations (P2.5-P97.5) of MS-hepcidin and IC-hepcidin were 3.6 nmol/l (0.6-13.9 nmol/l) and 7.9 nmol/l (1.9-28.6 nmol/l), respectively. We found a good correlation between both methods. However, MS-hepcidin was consistently lower than IC-hepcidin. Hepcidin correlated with ferritin and C-reactive protein. CONCLUSION: We provide reference ranges for hepcidin for an MS and commercial IC method. Absolute values between assays differed significantly, but hepcidin concentrations obtained by MS and IC methods correlate with each other, and both correlate with ferritin and CRP.

The value of soluble transferrin receptor and hepcidin in the assessment of iron status in children with cystic fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: The value of ferritin in the diagnosis of iron deficiency is limited in patients with CF since it increases in the presence of inflammation. We hypothesized that the soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) and hepcidin may provide more information than ferritin in assessing iron status in children with CF. METHODS: We analyzed sTfR and hepcidin in relation to conventional iron status indicators in 49 children with CF. RESULTS: We found no differences in sTfR concentration between children with and those without ID. sTfR concentrations were within the normal range in all children. Hepcidin concentrations were low, and concentrations below the limit of detection were observed in 25% of the clinically stable children. CONCLUSION: The sTfR is not useful to determine the iron status in this population, whereas hepcidin might serve as an early indicator of deficient iron stores in children with CF.

Prevalence and risk factors of iron deficiency in healthy young children in the southwestern Netherlands.

OBJECTIVES: Iron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA), during the first years of life, are associated with delayed motor and neurological development. Many studies evaluated iron status without an assessment of an acute-phase protein to identify infection. Because most indicators of iron status are influenced by infection, these data may underestimate the ID prevalence. A food consumption survey in the Netherlands showed that the mean iron intake of children ages 2 to 3 years was below the advised adequate intake of 7 mg/day. The aim of the study was to investigate iron status in a well-defined, healthy population of young children in the southwestern region of the Netherlands and to identify risk factors for ID. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter, observational study in healthy children ages 0.5 to 3 years. We defined ID as ferritin <12 µg/L and IDA when, in addition, hemoglobin was <110 g/L. Children with elevated C-reactive protein levels (>5 mg/L) or underlying causes for anemia were excluded. Parents filled in a questionnaire to identify risk factors for ID. RESULTS: We included 400 children in the study. ID and IDA were detected in 18.8% and 8.5% of the children, respectively. The present use of formula and the visit of preschool/day care were associated with a lower prevalence of ID, and a high intake of cow's milk was associated with a higher prevalence of ID, after adjustment for age. CONCLUSIONS: ID is present in 18.8% of healthy children ages 0.5 to 3 years and living in the southwestern region of the Netherlands. The present visit of preschool/day care and the use of formula are associated with a reduced risk of ID, whereas a high intake of cow's milk is associated with an increased risk of ID.

Iron deficiency occurs frequently in children with cystic fibrosis.

In adult CF patients iron deficiency (ID) is common and primarily functional due to chronic inflammation. No recent data are available on the cause of ID and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in children with CF. Over the last decades onset of inflammation and pulmonary disease in children with CF is delayed by improved nutritional status. We questioned whether ID occurs in the same extent among children with CF as in adult CF patients. We therefore conducted a study to investigate the iron status of children with CF and to determine whether ID and IDA are associated with dietary iron intake, lung disease severity and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) infection. Clinical charts of 53 children with CF aged 0-16 were reviewed. Follow-up varied from 1 to 14 years with 343 annual observations in total. Thirty-two children (60.4%) were iron deficient in at least 1 year and ID was present in 84 of 343 observations (24.5%). In 2011 ID was present in 9 children (17.0%). Ten children (18.9%) were anemic in at least 1 year and anemia was present in 13 of 328 observations (4.0%). IDA was present in at least 1 year in 6 children (11.3%). Ferritin (Fer) was positively associated with age. Higher Fer values found in older children represent an increased state of inflammation, rather than an improved iron status, and might increase the relative contribution of functional ID. This study shows that ID is common in relatively healthy, well-nourished children with CF. The mechanism of ID in children with CF is currently unknown. A prospective study using both soluble transferrin receptor and Fer as indicators for ID will provide more insight in the incidence and causes of ID in children with CF.

[Serious gastrointestinal complications due to accidental ingestion of magnetic toy parts]. / Ernstige gastro-intestinale complicaties door inslikken van magnetisch speelgoed.

A 3-year-old boy presented at the emergency room with abdominal pain, nausea and non-bilious vomiting. Physical examination revealed moderate symptoms of dehydration, a tender and slightly extended but soft abdomen and active peristalsis. With the working diagnosis of viral gastroenteritis the boy was admitted to the hospital for rehydration therapy by nasogastric tube. After a few days an abdominal X-ray was taken because of bilious vomiting and persistent absence of defecation. Connected foreign bodies were seen in the small intestine. These appeared to be 3 magnetic toy parts. Laparotomy showed that all symptoms were due to a volvulus of the small intestine around a fistula caused by entrapment of the intestinal wall between attracted magnets. Magnetic construction toys can be bought in toy stores in the Netherlands. Vigilance should be exercised with magnetic toys, because ingestion of multiple magnets can cause potentially life-threatening bowel complications.