Respiratory infections drive hepcidin-mediated blockade of iron absorption leading to iron deficiency anemia in African children
- Author(s)
- Prentice, AM; Bah, A; Jallow, MW; Jallow, AT; Sanyang, S; Sise, EA; Ceesay, K; Danso, E; Armitage, AE; Pasricha, SR; Drakesmith, H; Wathuo, M; Kessler, N; Cerami, C; Wegmuller, R;
- Details
- Publication Year 2019-03,Volume 5,Issue #3,Page eaav9020
- Journal Title
- Scientific Advances
- Publication Type
- Journal Article
- Abstract
- Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the most prevalent nutritional condition worldwide. We studied the contribution of hepcidin-mediated iron blockade to IDA in African children. We measured hepcidin and hemoglobin weekly, and hematological, inflammatory, and iron biomarkers at baseline, 7 weeks, and 12 weeks in 407 anemic (hemoglobin < 11 g/dl), otherwise healthy Gambian children (6 to 27 months). Each child maintained remarkably constant hepcidin levels (P < 0.0001 for between-child variance), with half consistently maintaining levels that indicate physiological blockade of iron absorption. Hepcidin was strongly predicted by nurse-ascribed adverse events with dominant signals from respiratory infections and fevers (all P < 0.0001). Diarrhea and fecal calprotectin were not associated with hepcidin. In multivariate analysis, C-reactive protein was the dominant predictor of hepcidin and contributed to iron blockade even at very low levels. We conclude that even low-grade inflammation, especially associated with respiratory infections, contributes to IDA in African children.
- Publisher
- AAAS
- Research Division(s)
- Population Health And Immunity
- PubMed ID
- 30944864
- Publisher's Version
- https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aav9020
- Open Access at Publisher's Site
https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aav9020- Terms of Use/Rights Notice
- Refer to copyright notice on published article.
Creation Date: 2019-04-11 12:23:46
Last Modified: 2019-04-11 01:37:34