A new device to measure hepcidin in urine for detecting iron deficiency in children and teens
Official title: Novel Point-of-Care Device for Urinary Hepcidin to Detect Iron Deficiency in Children and Adolescents
Funded at Intrinsic Lifesciences, LLC · NIH-10709598 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new, easy-to-use device that helps doctors quickly check for iron deficiency in kids and teens by measuring a substance in their urine, so they can get the help they need to grow and develop properly.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Intrinsic Lifesciences, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | September 25, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $788,664 |
| NIH project number | 5R44DK135139-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10709598 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include children and adolescents who may be at risk for iron deficiency, particularly those showing signs of cognitive or physical developmental issues.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not children or adolescents, or those who do not exhibit symptoms of iron deficiency, may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a non-invasive point-of-care device that measures urinary hepcidin levels to diagnose iron deficiency in children and adolescents. Iron deficiency is a significant health issue that can affect cognitive and physical development, even in the absence of anemia. The proposed device aims to provide pediatricians with a reliable and easy-to-use tool to assess iron status quickly. By quantifying urinary hepcidin normalized to urinary creatinine, the device could facilitate timely interventions for affected children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier and more accurate diagnoses of iron deficiency in children, improving their health outcomes and development.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that measuring hepcidin levels can effectively indicate iron status, suggesting that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Intrinsic Lifesciences, LLC
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ostland, Vaughn E — Intrinsic Lifesciences, LLC
- Study coordinator: Ostland, Vaughn E
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Teen Period app study to understand menstruation and iron deficiency in newly tapped teens
A national study using a teen-friendly mobile app to track menstruation and identify factors linked to iron deficiency in girls who have just started menstruating.
-
Thyroid hormone and early brain development in iron-deficient kids
This grant explores how thyroid hormone and iron deficiency in early life affect brain development and later ADHD-like behaviors in children.
-
Iron‑deficiency anemia and its impact on brain function in late childhood
This study looks at how iron-deficiency anemia in late childhood and adolescence may affect thinking skills and brain development in young females.
-
Brain blood flow and oxygen use in adult iron deficiency anemia
This study looks at how moderate iron deficiency anemia in adults affects brain blood flow, oxygen use, and thinking abilities, and whether iron treatment can reverse any problems.
-
Machine learning to predict iron deficiency risk in babies based on mom’s stress during pregnancy
A fast, data-driven approach uses a mother’s stress during pregnancy to help predict which babies might be at risk for iron deficiency anemia.
-
Iron deficiency and inflammation: how lack of iron worsens lung and kidney injury
This NIH grant looks at how iron deficiency makes inflammatory organ injury worse, especially in lung and kidney, to help future patients who have anemia with inflammatory conditions.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.