Serum hepcidin level in children with chronic renal failure either on hemodialysis or on conservative therapy

Abstract

Objective To study serum hepcidin level in children with chronic renal failure (CRF), either on hemodialysis (HD) or on conservative therapy, and its role in anemia in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Background The role of hepcidin in the occurrence of anemia in children with CKD. Patients and methods Serum samples were obtained from 30 healthy individuals and from 10 patients with chronic renal diseases, and 20 patients with CRF. The levels of serum hepcidin, serum ferritin, and serum hemoglobin were determined and the correlation between them was studied. Results There is a significant increase in the serum hepcidin levels in group I and group II than the control group. There was significant correlation between hepcidin and serum ferritin, and there was a negative correlation between serum hepcidin and hemoglobin and serum creatinine and clearance of serum hepcidin by HD. Conclusion CRF showed an increase in the serum hepcidin level that increased in severity with the increasing duration of HD, C-reactive protein, ferritin serum level and hemoglobin level. Hepcidin may serve as a marker for diagnosis and monitor anemia in CKD patients either on HD therapy or on conservative therapy. Standard dose of HD clear the serum hepcidin by about 35%.