Heterophilic antibodies leading to falsely positive D-dimer concentration in an adolescent.

Background: We present the case of a 15-year-old adolescent with suspected pulmonary embolism and repeatedly elevated D-dimer levels.

Key Clinical Question: We aim to determine the cause for elevated D-dimer levels in a patient without venous thromboembolism.

Clinical Approach: When the D-dimer measurement was repeated with different assays, D-dimer levels were within the normal reference interval.

The ektacytometric elongation Index (EI) of erythrocytes, validation of a prognostic, rheological biomarker for patients with sickle cell disease.

Objectives: Validation of the measurement of erythrocyte deformability as a useful prognostic, rheological biomarker for patients with sickle cell disease (SCD).

Methods: The degree of reduced deformability was based on the value of the maximum elongation index (EI ) of the deformability curve of an osmotic gradient ektacytometer. The performance of this technique was analytically and clinically validated by analysing 200 normal subjects and 100 patients with well-documented thalassemia's and Hb variants in relation to their clinical condition.

Serum hepcidin in infants born after 32 to 37 wk of gestational age.

Background: Preterm infants are at risk of iron deficiency (ID). Hepcidin has been suggested as a good additional indicator of ID in preterm infants, next to ferritin.

Methods: In a prospective observational study, we analyzed serum hepcidin in 111 infants born after 32+0 to 36+6 wk gestational age during the first 4 mo of life.

Iron deficiency in the first 6 months of age in infants born between 32 and 37 weeks of gestational age.

Background/objectives: Preterm infants are at risk of iron deficiency (ID). In the Netherlands, preterm infants born after 32 weeks of gestational age (GA) do not receive iron supplementation on a routine basis. We hypothesized that dietary iron intake in these infants might not be sufficient to meet the high iron requirements during the first 6 months of life.