Lower Plasma Soluble Transferrin Receptor Range in Healthy Indian Pediatric Cohort as Compared to Asian and Western Data

Soluble serum transferrin receptor is derived from erythroid transferrin receptor expressed on surface of developing erythroid cells. It can be detected in blood using sensitive ELISA methodology and blood levels reflect physiological iron dependent erythropoiesis state in bone marrow. Normal adult levels vary from 2 to 5 mg/l. However, pediatric studies are few and describe normal ranges to the tune of 1.0–3.0 mg/l, which are relatively lower than that of adults. In present study 40 healthy children (2–12 years) were evaluated to establish normal soluble transferrin receptor range. The mean transferrin receptor levels were 0.39 mg/l with a range of 0.17–2.1 mg/l. The levels were low as compared to mean levels described in other studies from West and our country (4.39 and 2.0 mg/l respectively). Since, no internationally standard method for reporting and testing for transferrin receptor levels are yet available, hence it is imperative to establish normal control ranges in different population cohorts, especially in pediatric age group, to better interpret their levels in diagnostic context.