Iron Deficiency among Jamaican Adolescents

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Pediatric Hematology
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) is a prevalent nutritional disorder with significant health implications.
• Adolescents, particularly females, are at higher risk for IDA due to growth spurts and dietary factors.
• Undiagnosed IDA can negatively impact cognitive function, physical activity, and academic performance in students.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia in Jamaican secondary school students.
• To raise awareness about the significance of IDA in this population.
• To advocate for improved screening and management strategies.

Main Methods:

• Haematological screening of 13,172 students (aged 15-19) from 14 secondary schools in Manchester and Clarendon, Jamaica.
• Analysis included haemoglobin electrophoresis, haematological indices, and haemoglobin, alpha 2 (HbA2) levels.
• Iron deficiency was characterized by low mean red cell volume, low mean cell haemoglobin, and high red cell distribution width.

Main Results:

• Prevalence of haemoglobin levels below 10 g/dL was 0.36% in males and 3.79% in females with normal haemoglobin genotype.
• Low haematological indices were indicative of iron deficiency, confirmed by improved haemoglobin levels after iron supplementation.
• Symptoms such as poor diet and pica were common and resolved with iron treatment.

Conclusions:

• Iron deficiency, even without anaemia, can impair physical and mental functions, potentially affecting intellectual performance in high school students.
• Integrating blood tests into school medical assessments can facilitate early detection of significant anaemia.
• Oral iron medications should be readily available at health centers for timely treatment.