Serum erythropoietin levels in children with thalassemia and iron deficiency anemia

Özet

Erythropoietin (EPO) levels were determined in sera from children with different types of anemia using radioimmunoassay (IRMA). Our aim was to evaluate EPO levels in various types of anemia and analyze the possible relationship between EPO levels and hematological parameters. Seventy-two patients with anemia (33 ferpale, 39 male), between 2 and 44 years of age were studied. Mean serum EPO levels were found to be 324.2 ± 71.5 mlll/mL in thalassemia major (n=44), 117+59 mlU/mL in thalassemia intermedia (n=11), 24.1 ±4.8 mlU/mL in iron deficiency anemia (n=17) and 9.4+0.7 mlU/mL in healthy controls (n=39). EPO levels did not differ in relation to age, sex, ferritin levels, splenectomy and chelation therapy for thalassemia group. EPO levels were significantly higher in thalassemia major group than all others (p<0.05). A significant inverse relationship was not found between Hb and EPO levels or logarithmic values of EPO. The data presented demonstrates that EPO levels in anemic patients are not only inversely related to the Hb values, but also to the proliferative activity of bone morrow.