Correlation between brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels and serum iron levels in stunted children living in malaria-endemic areas

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Children who are living in malaria-endemic areas are highly vulnerable to malaria infections. The presence of malaria infection and low nutrient intake results in an increased incidence of stunting in children, especially those living in malaria-endemic areas. The stunting in children may reduce their cognitive functions. AIM: This study aims to analyze the correlation between brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels and serum iron in stunted children living in malaria-endemic areas. METHODS: The design of this research was a case–control study. The sample of this study was 60 elementary schoolchildren aged 9–12 years collected from five regencies in Bengkulu province. Among the samples, 30 of them were stunted and the remaining were non-stunted ones. The technique used to collect the samples was simple random sampling. Growth stunting was identified by calculating the Z-score of height-for-age (H/A). In addition, the whole blood of each research subject was drawn for the measurement of BDNF and serum iron levels. Serum BDNF level was measured using a method of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and serum iron level was measured using spectrophotometry. The characteristic data of the sample were collected from questionnaires. The obtained research data were then analyzed using the independent t-test and the Pearson correlation. RESULTS: The levels of BDNF and serum iron in stunted children were lower than those in non-stunted ones (3.38 ± 1.05 vs. 4.16 ± 0.41 μg/dL and 31.57 ± 9.88 vs. 52.99 ± 12.60 μg/dL). There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the mean level of BDNF and serum iron levels between stunted children and non-stunted ones. The results of the Pearson analysis on BDNF and serum iron levels indicated p = 0.000 and r = 0.454. CONCLUSION: There was a significant correlation between BDNF levels and serum iron levels in stunted children living in malaria-endemic areas.