Korean J Pediatr Hematol Oncol.  1997 Oct;4(2):252-260.

Evaluation of the Iron Status in the Adolescents in Seoul

• An JY
• Kim JT
• Ahn DH
• Hong YJ
• Kang YJ
• Suh SJ

Abstract

BACKGROUND: During the adolescent growths spurt, iron deficiency becomes more common, particularly with the additional factors of menstrual blood loss in females and the androgen-related rise in hemoglobin concentration in males. This study was conducted to investigate the iron status in the adolescent students.
METHODS
Venous peripheral blood was sampled from 178 males(79 of 12-13years, 99 of 15-16years) who were 1st grade students of two boy's middle schools and two high schools and from 186 females(87 of 12-13years, 99 of 15-16years) who were 1st grade students of two girl's middle schools and two high schools. Laboratory procedures included a hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum iron, TIBC and serum ferritin. Transferrln saturation was calculated.
RESULTS
1) Mean values were hemoglobin 13.7+/-0.78 g/dl, hematocrit 40.6+/-2.47%, serum iron 127.6+/-43.02 ug/dl, TIBC 387.9+/-47.73 ug/dl, transferrin saturation 33.3+/-11.38%, and serum ferritin 26.1+/-16.90 ng/ml in 12-13years old males. 2) Mean values were hemoglobin 13.7+/-0.85 g/dl, hematocrit 40.9+/-3.79%, serum iron 99.4+/-34.93 ug/dl, TIBC 387.8+/-45.53 ug/dl, transferrin saturation 26.2+/-9.99%, and serum ferritin in 22.7+/-14.18 ng/ml in 12-13years old females. 3) Mean values were hemoglobin 15.2+/-0.84 g/dl, hematocrit 45.9+/-2.77%, serum iron 144.9+/-51.97 ug/dl, TIBC 419.8+/-52.46 ug/dl, transferrin saturation 34.2+/-10.44%, and serum ferritin 31.2+/-20.91 ng/dl in 15-16years old males. 4) Mean values were hemoglobin 13.2+/-0.89 g/dl, hematocrit 39.9+/-2.78%, serum iron 111.1+/-39.78 ug/dl, TIBC 392.8+/-50.06 ug/dl, transferrin saturation 28.9+/-10.85%, and serum ferritin 21.4+/-17.11 ng/ml in 15-16years old females. 5) The prevalence of iron deficiency was 8.9% and 10.1% in 12-13years and 15-16years old males respectively. In 12-13years and 15-16years old females, the prevalence was 16.1% and 29.3% respectively. The prevalence of iron deficincy anemia was 1.1% and 2.0% in 12-13years and 15-16years old female and absent in male.
CONCLUSIONS
Although hemoglobin is normal, we recommend to check other parameters to optimize the identification of individuals with iron deficiency.

Keyword

Adolescent; Iron deficiency

MeSH Terms

Adolescent*
Anemia
Female
Ferritins
Hematocrit
Humans
Iron*
Male
Prevalence
Seoul*
Transferrin
Ferritins
Iron
Transferrin