Serum hepcidin: indication of its role as an “acute phase” marker in febrile children

BACKGROUND Hepcidin is classified as a type II acute phase protein; its production is a component of the innate immune response to infections. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the alterations of serum hepcidin in children during and following an acute febrile infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS 22 children with fever of acute onset (< 6 hours) admitted to the 2nd Department of Pediatrics-University of Athens. Based on clinical and laboratory findings our sample formed two groups: the viral infection group (13 children) and the bacterial infection group (9 children). Hepcidin, ferritin and serum iron measurements were performed in all subjects. RESULTS Serum hepcidin values did not differ notably between children with viral and bacterial infection, but a significant reduction of hepcidin was noted in both groups post-infection. CONCLUSION Our study provides clinical pediatric data on the role of hepcidin in the face of an acute infection. In our sample of children, hepcidin was found to rise during the acute infection and fall post-infection.