Ferroportin Q248H mutation was not found to be protective against malaria and anemia in children under 5 years living in South Kivu/Democratic Republic of Congo, an endemic area of Plasmodium infection

Ferroportin (FPN) is known as an iron exporter and its effect on RBC iron could therefore hamper the growth of malaria parasites, since parasites are in need of iron. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of FPN Q248H in South Kivu/DRC and to evaluate its role in Plasmodium infected children and to explore its relationship with anemia. We conducted a cross-sectional study in the health zone of Miti Murhesa in South Kivu/DRC. 1088 children aged under five years were included. The FPN Q248H mutation was analyzed by PCR (N = 1071). Allele frequency was calculated based on Hardy-Weinberg equation. Plasmodium infection was assessed by LAMP malaria assay (N = 1057). Statistical analysis was done using Medcalc® software. P-values < 0.05 were considered significant. We found 11.4% FPN Q248H mutation. T allele frequency was estimated to be 0.0588 ± 0.0052. No significant differences for frequencies of anemia and malaria were observed between FPN Q248H mutation and FPN wild type. However, Plasmodium infected carriers of the FPN Q248H mutation had lower hemoglobin values than wild type children. Even though FPN Q248H mutation is associated with lower hemoglobin values in Plasmodium infected children, it was not found to be protective against malaria and anemia in children under 5 years living in malaria endemic area of South Kivu/Democratic Republic of Congo. •Frequency of ferroportin Q248H is high in African population.•Ferroportin has been described to protect red blood cells against oxidative stress and malaria infection.•Ferroportin allele frequency was similar in anemic and non-anemic children.•No difference according to ferroportin allele frequency was observed among children in endemic area of Plasmodium infection.•Ferroportin Q248H mutation, G6PD deficiency and sickle cell anemia did not affect susceptibility to malaria in endemic area. Ferroportin Q248H, Children under 5 years, Anemia, Malaria, South Kivu/Democratic Republic of Congo.