Iron deficiency in black females during late adolescence

The role of serum ferritin (SF) in detecting early iron deficiency and the associated risk factors in black adolescent females are evaluated. SF less than or equal to 12 ng/mL indicated low iron stores and a Hb less than or equal to 11.3 g/dL (5% ile for black females-Hanes Survey) anemia. Of the 103 females (means = 16.8 yr) screened in a Family Planning Clinic (FPC), 20.4% (21/103) had a low SF. Of these 21, 72% had a Hb greater than 11.3 g/dL. Chronologic age, gynecologic age, history of pregnancy, Tanner stage IV and V, and birth control method did not appear to be risk factors. However, longer rather than shorter use of oral contraceptives appeared to protect against iron deficiency. This study suggests that routine screening of iron status by hemoglobin and serum ferritin is warranted during annual FPC visits.