The Effect of Iron Therapy on Plasma Ghrelin and Leptin Levels in Egyptian Children with Iron Deficiency Anemia

Abstract Background Iron deficiency (ID) is the most common micronutrient deficiency and the most common cause of anemia worldwide. It is known that iron deficiency anemia effects appetite and growth negatively. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of iron therapy on appetite and plasma ghrelin and leptin levels in children with nutritional iron deficiency anemia. Methods A prospective interventional study was done on 40 iron deficient pediatric patients diagnosed by CBC and Iron profile aged between 12 to 60 months. All 40 cases were given oral iron therapy (5mg/kg). Anthropometric measures and appetite score subjectively by mother were done before and after iron therapy. Caloric intake was calculated specially protein, Fat and CHO before and after treatment. Serum Ghrelin and Leptin done by ELISA Kit ;Specimen Collected whether Serum or plasma. Results The median rang (IQR) plasma ghrelin level was 1 (0.9 - 1.25) mg/mL before therapy and it increased to 3.6 (2.65 – 4.8) mg/mL (p < 0.001) while the median plasma leptin level decreased from 2.05 (1.4 – 3.2) ng/mL to 0.41 (0.3 – 0.65) ng/mL (p < 0.01) after therapy. The amount of daily caloric intake, carbohydrate and protein intake were significantly increased after therapy (p < 0.001). Body weight was correlated with plasma ghrelin levels before and after therapy significantly. There was a positive correlation for Ghrelin with TIBC and UIBC (r = 0.387, p-value = 0.014) (r = 0.388, p-value = 0.033) respectively. Conclusions In conclusion, the findings of our study indicate that plasma ghrelin level increases and leptin level decreases in children with iron deficiency anemia after iron therapy. The increase in appetite and improvement of growth in iron deficiency anemia might result from decreased leptin and increased plasma ghrelin levels after treatment.