Heightened Serum Mitochondrial Biomarkers; FGF21 and NOS in Pediatric Anemia and a Negative Correlation between GDF15 and Serum Ferritin

Mitochondrial dysfunction is closely linked to chronic disorders. This study aims to explore the correlation between pediatric anemia and mitochondrial markers, specifically fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), growth/differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15), and nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). This study included 66 children, with 34 diagnosed with anemia and 32 in the healthy control group. Statistically significant biomarkers were determined through cutoff levels. Among the participants, 34 children were classified as anemic, while 32 were categorized as healthy. The study revealed that FGF21 levels ≥ 0.745 pg/mL and eNOS levels ≥ 1.265 µg/mL predicted anemia. Hemoglobin levels exhibited a negative correlation with FGF21 (r = -0.381; = 0.002) and eNOS levels (r = -0.462; < 0.001). Furthermore, a significant negative correlation was observed between GDF-15 and ferritin (r = -0.311; = 0.019), while eNOS levels correlated positively with folate (r = 0.313; = 0.019). Anemia induced elevated mitochondrial biomarkers; FGF21 and eNOS levels. The findings suggest that the long-term ramifications of anemia in childhood may be associated with mitochondrial dysfunction.