The Relation between Serum Hepcidin, Ferritin, Hepcidin: Ferritin Ratio, Hydroxyurea and Splenectomy in Children with β-Thalassemia.

Background: Hepcidin, a small peptide hormone, is established as the main regulator of iron homeostasis.

Aim: To estimate serum hepcidin, ferritin, and hepcidin: ferritin ratio in β-thalassemia patients and to determine the effect of splenectomy and hydroxyurea on serum hepcidin.

Methods: A study was conducted on 30 thalassemia major (βTM), 29 thalassemia intermedia (βTI) and 29 healthy children's controls.