Relationship between serum ferritin, erythrocyte protoporphyrin and transferrin saturation in Mauritanian free living children.
Serum ferritin, serum iron, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) and erythrocyte protoporphyrin were measured in a group of 69 children (6.4 +/- 3.6 years) living in a rural area of Mauritania. The predictive value of low serum ferritin was calculated for each iron parameter. A serum ferritin value above 12 micrograms/l was present in 50.2% of children with abnormal serum iron, in 59.0% of those with abnormal TIBC, in 60.3% of those with abnormal transferrin saturation and in 60.0% of those with abnormal erythrocyte protoporphyrin. The percentages varied from 88.0 to 94.8% for a predictive value of serum ferritin of less than 50 micrograms/l. Nearly 35% of children had biochemical evidence of iron deficiency, i.e. 2 abnormal independent iron parameters or more, including serum ferritin of less than 12 micrograms/l. Nearly 32% had probable iron deficiency, i.e. 2 abnormal independent iron parameters, with a serum ferritin value between 13 and 50 micrograms/l.
Centre de Recherche sur les Anémies Nutritionnelles Institut Scientifique et Technique de l'Alimentation, Paris.
P
P
Galan
J F
JF
Etard
E
E
Borel
C
C
Debenaze
S
S
Hercberg
D000747:Anemia, Hypochromic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood*; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis; D008435:Mauritania; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011166:Porphyrins / Q000097:blood*; D011524:Protoporphyrins / Q000097:blood*; D011897:Random Allocation; D014168:Transferrin / Q000378:metabolism*
D011166:Porphyrins; D011524:Protoporphyrins; D014168:Transferrin; D005293:Ferritins