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.