Iron deficiency, inflammatory processes and humoral immunity in children
Galan, P.; Davila, M.; Mekki, N.; Hercberg, S.
International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research. Internationale Zeitschrift für Vitamin- und Ernahrungsforschung. Journal International de Vitaminologie et de Nutrition 58(2): 225-230
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0300-9831 PMID: 3170097 Document Number: 320737
Indicators of iron status, markers of inflammatory processes, serum immunoglobulins and C3 and C4 components of complement were assessed in 142 children 10-months old. All the iron parameters and most of the indicators of humoral immunity were correlated with markers of inflammation. Sixty-two children presented biochemical indications of inflammation (high CRP or orosomucoid level, or hyperleukocytosis), while 80 children were free of it. In the latter group, the use of a combination of iron indicators enabled separation of iron-sufficient children from those with different degrees of iron deficiency, ranging from iron depletion to iron-deficiency anemia. Serum IgG and IgA were significantly lower only in the group of iron-depleted children. Serum ferritin was significantly positively correlated with IgA, IgM and C4. Iron depletion may be responsible for a decrease humoral immunity. This effect was not visible at more advanced stages of iron deficiency.