In agreement, a study in Kenyan children found lower hepcidin levels in malaria patients with severe anemia compared to those with higher hemoglobin levels.34 In contrast, a study in Nigerian children found no difference in hepcidin levels between children with SMA and CM and higher hepcidin levels in uncomplicated compared to severe malaria.35 Our findings may be explained by the low hepcidin/ferritin ratio and higher sTfR levels in SMA compared to CM, indicating increased erythropoietic activity. Here, TFRC is linked to anemia.