Marked increase in serum transferrin receptor among Thai children with Hb-E-beta-thalassaemia.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the serum transferrin receptor (sTfR) level in patients with Hb-E-beta-thalassaemia attending a paediatric haematology clinic.


METHODS
Sixty-four patients with Hb-E-beta-thalassaemia aged 2.9-10.8 years were attending a paediatric haematology clinic at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand. Circulating transferrin receptor was measured, as was the complete blood count and percentage of reticulocytes. A transfusion regimen recommended by the Thalassaemia International Federation was used whenever parents agreed to the treatment.


RESULTS
In patients with Hb-E-beta-thalassaemia, the concentration of sTfR varied from 1.88 to 28.44 mg/L (mean +/- SD 13.99 +/- 5.37), while in the control group, it varied from 0.95 to 2.56 mg/L (mean +/- SD 1.58 +/- 0.41; n = 31). The sTfR level correlated inversely to a single measurement of haemoglobin in the same specimen (r = - 0.433; P = 0.00) and was elevated compared to the control group (P = 0.00; alpha < 0.05). In addition, the sTfR level correlated inversely to mean pre-transfusion haemoglobin (r = - 0.36; P = 0.003).


CONCLUSIONS
The level of sTfR is elevated in children with Hb-E-beta-thalassaemia. The sTfR level can be used as an adjunct real-time assessment of erythropoietic activity, comparable with mean pre-transfusion haemoglobin. Measurement of sTfR is easy using most automated chemical analyzers, and material can be obtained from routine specimen collections. Further studies should be carried out in a larger population to verify the benefits of this test to patients.
Boonchalermvichian
C
C
Department of Laboratory Medicine, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand. chaiyaporn_b@wmi.usyd.edu.au
Paritpokee
N
N
Bhokaisawan
N
N
Nuchprayoon
I
I
Wiwanitkit
V
V
D015415:Biomarkers; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004920:Erythropoiesis / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011990:Receptors, Transferrin / Q000097:blood*; D013785:Thailand; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis
D015415:Biomarkers; D011990:Receptors, Transferrin