title: Serum ferritin concentrations in black miners.
abstract: Serum ferritin concentrations were measured in 651 Black male miners who originated from rural areas throughout southern Africa and who were aged between 17 and 57 years. The mean serum ferritin concentration of 229 microgram/l was above the normal range reported for White subjects, and in 52,8% of the subjects the values were greater than 200 microgram/l. The serum ferritin concentration rose with age, as did the proportion of subjects in each age group who exhibited high values (more than 200 microgram/l). The lowest mean ferritin concentration (112 microgram/l) as well as the lowest proportion of high values (22,9%) were found in subjects from the most northerly area studied. Similarly, the highest mean proportion of high values (66,3%) was seen in the most southerly group studied. Calculations from the present data suggest that the degree of iron overload is currently greater in rural than in urban Black male subjects.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D044383:Black People; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008295:Malawi; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008906:Mining; D009073:Mozambique; D009787:Occupational Medicine; D012424:Rural Population; D013019:South Africa
chemical_list: D005293:Ferritins