Comparative Study of the Effects of Lactoferrin versus Oral Iron Therapy in Obese Children and Adolescents with Iron Deficiency Anemia

Greater prevalence of iron deficiency (ID) has been observed in overweight and obese children and adolescents. Hepcidin acts as a key regulator of iron metabolism. Hepcidin synthesis increases in response inflammatory cytokines especially Interleukin-6 (IL-6). Considering that obesity represents a low grade chronic inflammatory state, a high concentration of hepcidin has been found in obese children. Elevated hepcidin level in obese children is associated with diminished response to oral iron therapy. Lactoferrin is an iron-binding multifunctional glycoprotein and has strong capacity to modulate the inflammatory response by its capacity to reduce pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in vivo, including IL-6 and hepcidin.

Aim of the Work: To compare the efficacy of lactoferrin versus oral iron therapy in treatment of obese children and adolescents with iron deficiency anemia and the effect of therapy on serum hepcidin and interleukin 6 levels.

Methodology: This prospective randomized clinical trial was conducted on 40 obese children and adolescents aged between 6 –18 years suffering from iron deficiency anemia (IDA). They were equally randomized into one of 2 groups. Group A received regular oral lactoferrin in a dose of 100 mg/day. Group B received regular oral iron supplementation (Ferric hydroxide polymaltose) in a dose of 6 mg elemental iron/kg /day.Baseline investigations included complete blood count (CBC), iron profile (Serum ferritin, serum iron, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), transferrin saturation), serum Interleukin 6, and serum hepcidin. Reevaluation of CBC was done monthly while iron status parameters, serum IL-6 and serum hepcidin were reevaluated after 3 months of receiving regular therapy.

Results: Significant elevations in hemoglobin, MCV, MCH, Serum ferritin, serum iron and transferrin saturation with lactoferrin therapy compared to oral iron therapy. Significantly Lower TIBC after 3 months of lactoferrin therapy while the decrease in TIBC was insignificant in the iron therapy group.Lower serum hepcidin and IL6 after 3 months of lactoferrin therapy with no significant change in serum hepcidin and IL6 after iron therapy.

Conclusion: This study clearly demonstrated the superiority of lactoferrin over iron use as oral in the treatment of iron deficiency anemia in obese children not only for the better response of hematological and iron status parameters and less gastrointestinal side effects but also for its effect on decreasing inflammatory biomarkers as hepcidin and IL6.