Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Bahr, Timothy M.
• Ward, Diane M.
• Jia, Xuan
• Ohls, Robin K.
• German, Kendell R.
• Christensen, Robert D.

Titel

Is the erythropoietin-erythroferrone-hepcidin axis intact in human neonates?

Ist Teil von

• Blood cells, molecules, & diseases, 2021-05, Vol.88, p.102536-102536, Article 102536

Ort / Verlag

United States: Elsevier Inc

Erscheinungsjahr

2021

Quelle

MEDLINE

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• In a two-part process, we assessed elements of the principal hormonal pathway regulating iron homeostasis in human neonates. Part 1: Quantifying erythropoietin (Epo), erythroferrone (ERFE), hepcidin, and relevant serum and erythrocytic iron-related metrics in umbilical cord blood from term (n = 13) and preterm (n = 10) neonates, and from neonates born to mothers with diabetes and obesity (n = 13); Part 2: Quantifying serum Epo, ERFE, and hepcidin before and following darbepoetin administration. Part 1: We measured Epo, ERFE and hepcidin in all cord blood samples. Epo and ERFE levels did not differ between the three groups. Preterm neonates had the lowest hepcidin levels, while neonates born to diabetic women with a very high BMI had the lowest ferritin and RET-He levels. Part 2: Following darbepoetin dosing, ERFE levels generally increased (p < 0.05) and hepcidin levels generally fell (p < 0.05). Our observations suggest that the Epo/ERFE/hepcidin axis is intact in the newborn period. •Iron deficiency during the fetal/neonatal period can cause neurodevelopmental delay•Premature birth, maternal diabetes, and maternal obesity are risk factors for neonatal iron deficiency•Clinicians attempt to prevent or treat neonatal iron deficiency by administering enteral iron, but its efficacy depends on a functioning iron regulation pathway•Elements of this axis, well described in adults, require better definition in human neonates•We measured elements of this axis in umbilical cord blood; and before vs. following darbepoetin dosing. This axis appears to be intact in neonates