Research Journal of Medical Sciences
ISSN: Online 1993-6095ISSN: Print 1815-9346
Abstract
Anemia in infants is a prevalent condition that can lead to significant health complications if not diagnosed and treated early. Current diagnostic methods often detect anemia at advanced stages, necessitating the identification of new biomarkers for early detection. This study aims to evaluate novel biomarkers for the early detection of anemia in infants. A prospective study was conducted over a period of one year at a tertiary care centre, involving 150 infants aged 6‐12 months. The infants were recruited through routine pediatric check‐ups. Blood samples were collected and analyzed for traditional anemia markers (hemoglobin, hematocrit) and potential new biomarkers (serum ferritin, soluble transferrin receptor, reticulocyte hemoglobin content and hepcidin levels). Statistical analysis was performed to determine the sensitivity and specificity of these biomarkers in detecting early‐stage anemia. Out of the 150 infants, 60 (40%) were diagnosed with anemia based on traditional markers. Among the new biomarkers, serum ferritin showed a sensitivity of 85% and specificity of 78% in detecting early anemia. Soluble transferrin receptor demonstrated a sensitivity of 80% and specificity of 75%. Reticulocyte hemoglobin content had a sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 82%, while hepcidin levels showed a sensitivity of 88% and specificity of 80%. The combination of these biomarkers increased the overall sensitivity and specificity to 92% and 85%, respectively. The study identified reticulocyte hemoglobin content and hepcidin levels as the most promising biomarkers for the early detection of anemia in infants. The use of these biomarkers in clinical practice could lead to earlier diagnosis and intervention, potentially improving health outcomes in this vulnerable population. Further research is recommended to validate these findings in larger and more diverse populations.
How to cite this article:
Suryendru Kumar, Vijay Kumar and Anila Sinha. Assessment of New Biomarkers for Early Detection of Anaemia in Infants in a Tertiary Care Centre.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36478/10.36478/makrjms.2024.7.356.359
URL: https://www.makhillpublications.co/view-article/1815-9346/10.36478/makrjms.2024.7.356.359