ISSN 2997-1036
International Journal of Hematology | Vol. 16, No. 3, March 2025 | pp. 17–24
DOI: 10.46882/2025/IJH/000181
Original Article
Title: Serum erythroferrone kinetics and absolute iron utilization markers in pediatric beta-thalassemia trait variations
Names of Authors: A. I. Ibrahim¹, C. D. Balogun², E. O. Ojo³
Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Department of Haematology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria; ²Department of Paediatrics, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria; ³Department of Chemical Pathology, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria
Abstract: Mild ineffective erythropoiesis occurs in minor hemoglobinopathies, yet the regulatory role of erythroid factors in modulating iron metrics remains unquantified in carrier populations. This prospective clinical study evaluated steady-state serum erythroferrone (ERFE) kinetics, circulating hepcidin levels, and soluble transferrin receptor values in 45 pediatric patients presenting with confirmed beta-thalassemia trait profiles. Serum biomarker concentrations were quantified utilizing high-sensitivity enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Children carrying the trait exhibited a two-fold increase in steady-state serum erythroferrone levels (mean 42.6 ± 8.4 pg/ml) compared to healthy controls (P < 0.01). This mild overproduction of erythroferrone correlated with a slight suppression of bioactive plasma hepcidin-25 levels, driving increased intestinal iron extraction. Soluble transferrin receptor indices reflected steady marrow iron demands, while serum ferritin parameters remained within normal reference intervals, excluding iron overload. Tracking erythroferrone kinetics provides an accurate, non-invasive indicator of baseline marrow erythroid activity, helping clinicians differentiate inherited traits from nutritional iron deficiencies without executing expensive genetic mapping loops.
Keywords: Beta-thalassemia trait, erythroferrone, hepcidin modulation, ineffective erythropoiesis, iron utilization
Manuscript Timeline: Received: December 05, 2024; Revised: January 14, 2025; Accepted: February 04, 2025; Published: March 19, 2025
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