Iron deficiency in adolescents.
Two hundred and seventy school children between 13 to 20 years were investigated for iron deficiency. Overall iron deficiency (assessed by serum ferritin assay) was 39% in adolescents; 30% boys and 54% girls were iron depleted, anemia was found in 17% boys (Hb 13g/dl) and in 18% girls (Hb 12g/dl). Iron deficiency was more frequent than anemia in adolescent girls than boys. Iron deficient children had significantly lower mean Hb levels (p 0.001) compared to children with adequate iron stores. A significant correlation was found between serum ferritin concentration and Hb levels in iron deficient children (r = 0.49, p 0.001). A high prevalence of iron deficiency in adolescents reported here reflects the limited availability of dietary iron in children belonging to lower socio-economic group and the importance of screening for iron deficiency and the treatment of these children with iron preparation. Iron status in this age group warrants further evaluation and research.
Agha
F
F
PMRC Central Research Centre, Islamabad.
Sadaruddin
A
A
Khan
R A
RA
Ghafoor
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000747:Anemia, Hypochromic / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology