الفهرس 
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Abstract
Iron deficiency anemia is the most common type of microcytic anemia worldwide. It occurs when the dietary intake or absorption of iron is insufficient. It can be also caused by parasitic infestation which leads to fecal blood loss.
Hepcidin, a 25 amino acid peptide, is produced predominantly by hepatocytes. It act by binding to the transmembrane iron exporter ferroportin which is present on macrophages and the basolateral site of enterocytes causes its internalization and degradation ,thus suppressing iron uptake and release respectively. Hepcidin expression is up-regulated by inflammation due to cytokines release. Hypoxia, anemia, increased erythropoiesis and reduced iron stores all negatively regulate Hepcidin expression.
Synthesis of erythroprotein occurs as a result of hypoxia, anemia that both increase iron absorption independently of iron stores. Hepcidin appears to be a sensitive indicator of iron deficiency even in the absence of anemia. Decreased hepcidin, with low transferrin saturation and serum ferritin, is observed prior to a detectable decrease in Hb or Hct.
We aimed in this study to estimate the hepcidin level in iron deficiency anemia by third generation of ELISA.
This work included 33iron deficiency anemia patients they were 22 males and 11 females, with age ranging between 8months to10years and20were apparently healthy controls they were matched in age, sex and socio-economic standard.
All patients and controls are subjected to:-1-full history taking including the present and the past history of the illness and full clinical examination.
2-Laboratory investigation:
A) Routine investigation including: CBC, Stool examination, ferritinlevel 2) Specific investigation: measurement of hepcidin level As regard to our results: there is significant difference between the studied group and control group as regard to serum hepcidin(p<0.05).Also; the results show significant difference between the studied group and control group as regardto serum ferritin (p<0.05).
This study confirmed that there is highly significant difference between the studied group and control group as regard to parasite infestation (p<0.001).
Regarding to pallor, infection there is significant difference between the studied group and control group (p<0.05).
There is highly significant difference between iron deficient and non-iron deficient in their weights where iron deficient had significantly lower weights than non-iron deficient group. In this study there was high incidence of increased susceptibility to infections in patients with iron deficiency.
Regarding to the correlation of serum hepcidin: significant positive correlation with weight, serum ferritin level, Hb, MCV, MCHC hematocrit value .On the other hand serum levels of hepcidin showed significant negative correlation with RDW%. Regarding to the results of serum hepcidin in the present study, the best cut off level was29.5ng\ml.At this level, the diagnostic sensivity, specificity were100%.
As regards to serum ferritin, the best cut off level was80ng\ml. At this level, the diagnostic sensitvity, specificity were100%.
The gained data from our study reveal that:
Hepcidine decrease in iron deficiency anemia We conclude that hepcidin is a sensitive and specific parameter for estimation of iron deficiency anemia.
So we recommended by
1- Primary prevention of iron deficiency anemia should be done in infants and toddlers.
2- We recommend that weaning should start at the age of 4 months as the apparent risk of infection and development of allergic diseases does not seem to be present.
3- Secondary prevention through early detection and proper management of IDA
4- More researches on hepcidin should do to confirm its role in early detection of iron deficiency anemia.