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[Reference values of erythrocyte ferritin in children and adults]
C Guillemin1, G Plomteux, J F Dezier
1Centre Régional de Transfusion Sanguine, Laboratoire de Chimie Hématologique, Vandoeuvre-Les-Nancy.
Insights
Erythrocyte ferritin levels show no significant difference between boys and girls aged 4-12. After age 12, ferritin levels increase in males, while remaining stable in females, establishing age-specific reference intervals.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Biochemistry
- Pediatrics
Context:
- Ferritin serves as a primary indicator of iron status in the body.
- Understanding erythrocyte ferritin levels is crucial for diagnosing iron-related disorders.
- Variations in ferritin concentration can be influenced by age and sex.
Purpose:
- To establish age- and sex-specific reference intervals for erythrocyte ferritin content.
- To investigate the relationship between erythrocyte ferritin levels, age, and sex in a healthy population.
- To provide a basis for accurate clinical interpretation of ferritin measurements.
Summary:
- This study measured erythrocyte ferritin in 183 healthy individuals (4-68 years; 80 males, 103 females).
- No significant sex-based differences were observed in children aged 4-12.
- Erythrocyte ferritin concentration remained stable with age in females but increased in males after age 12.
- Reference intervals were determined: 3-24 age by cell (boys 4-12, females 4-63) and 5-38 age by cell (males 13-68).
Impact:
- Provides essential reference ranges for erythrocyte ferritin, aiding in the diagnosis of iron deficiency and overload.
- Highlights age- and sex-dependent changes in ferritin, improving clinical assessment accuracy.
- Contributes to a better understanding of iron metabolism and its regulation throughout the lifespan.
Abstract:
The erythrocyte ferritin content was measured in 183 healthy subjects in age from 4 to 68 years; 80 were male and 103 were female. In children between the ages of 4 and 12 years there is no significant difference in the mean value between boys and girls. In females the erythrocyte ferritin concentration is independent of age. After 12 years of age the erythrocyte ferritin content is higher in men. Reference intervals were determined by the two quantiles 0.05 and 0.95. The reference interval is 3-24 age by cell in boys between 4 and 12 and females between 4 and 63; the reference interval is 5-38 age by cell in males between 13 and 68 years of age.