Serum level of soluble transferrin receptor in children with hemoglobin H disease

Abstract:

Objective To investigate the serum level of soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) and its association with the degree of anemia in children with hemoglobin H (HbH) disease. Methods A total of 55 children with HbH disease were enrolled as the HbH group, and 30 healthy children were enrolled as the control group. The HbH group was further divided into a deletional HbH disease group and a non-deletional HbH disease group. A retrospective analysis was performed for hematological parameters and serum sTfR level in all groups. Results Of the 55 children with HbH disease, 39 had deletional HbH disease and 16 had non-deletional HbH disease. Compared with the control group, the deletional and non-deletional HbH disease groups had significantly lower hemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and a significantly higher serum level of sTfR. Compared with the deletional HbH disease group, the non-deletional HbH disease group had significantly lower red blood cell count (RBC) and Hb level and significantly higher MCV, MCH, and serum sTfR level. In children with HbH disease, serum sTfR level was negatively correlated with RBC and Hb level (r=-0.739 and -0.667 respectively, P < 0.05) and positively correlated with MCV and MCH (r=0.750 and 0.434 respectively, P < 0.05). Conclusions Serum sTfR level is associated the degree of anemia in children with HbH disease, and sTfR may be a target for the treatment of HbH disease.