What is it about?
Many children in Sudan with End-Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD) receive treatment for anemia (low red blood cells), but their hemoglobin levels often don’t improve enough, even with erythropoietin (rHuEPO) therapy. This study investigated why this happens by looking at: • Iron levels (since iron is needed to make hemoglobin). • Reticulocytes (young red blood cells, which show how well the body is producing new blood cells). • β-globin mRNA (a genetic marker linked to hemoglobin production). The goal was to find better ways to monitor and adjust treatment for these children.
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Why is it important?
Many Sudanese children with kidney failure suffer from anemia that doesn’t improve with standard treatment. This study shows that advanced tests—like reticulocyte measurements and β-globin gene analysis—can better detect iron deficiency and bone marrow response. Findings reveal age and gender affect treatment success, urging personalized care. By improving monitoring, doctors can adjust therapy faster, boosting hemoglobin levels and quality of life. This research offers hope for better anemia management in vulnerable kids globally.
Perspectives
Seeing kids struggle with anemia drove this research. Grateful for tools that could personalize their care and boost outcomes
Professor Nazik Elmalaika Obaid Seid Ahmed Husain
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sceinces, Omdurman Islamic University
This study, "Assessment of Myeloid Response Among Sudanese Children with End-Stage Kidney Disease" (BMC Nephrology, 2023), aimed to explore why anemia persists in children treated with recombinant erythropoietin (rEPO) and iron therapy. Despite treatment, many children remained severely anemic, resulting in poor clinical outcomes and increased mortality [1]. The study revealed a blunted myeloid response, highlighting that standard therapies may be insufficient. Its significance is heightened by Sudan’s ongoing health emergency, as reported by UNICEF since 2018, which continues to affect healthcare access and delivery [2,3]. The findings underscore the urgent need for advanced diagnostics and international support to improve child health outcomes in fragile settings like Sudan. References: 1. Abdelrahman AAM, Marzouk AI, Altayeb OA, Fadul EA, Osman M, Allam N, Ahmed NMM, Husain NEOS. Assessment of myeloid response among Sudanese children with end-stage kidney disease. BMC Nephrol. 2024 Oct;24(1):[article number if available]. doi:10.1186/s12882-024-03806-5 2. UNICEF Sudan. Humanitarian Situation Report. 2018–2021. 3. UNICEF. Sudan Humanitarian Response Plan. 2021–2024
Hematologist and Molecular Hematology Researcher Abier Abdelaziz Makkawi Abdelrahman
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Assessment of myeloid response and iron status among Sudanese pediatric ESKD on hemodialysis through reticulocyte parameters and β-globin mRNA expression, BMC Nephrology, October 2024, Springer Science + Business Media,
DOI: 10.1186/s12882-024-03806-5.
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