Ferritin and iron status in Senegalese women

Ferritin, iron status, and hematological parameters--Hb, hematocrit--were determined in 172 mature women at screening visits in first aid medical care units located in Senegal. Of the subjects 36.6, 39.5, 34.9% had Hb, hematocrit, and ferritin levels below accepted norms (i.e., Hb less than 11 g/dl, hematocrit less than 33%, serum ferritin less than 10 ng/ml). Serum iron level was normal (greater than 50 micrograms/dl) in 94.2% of the subjects, but 48.3% had marginal levels (51 to 100 micrograms/dl). The distribution curves of Hb level in the population indicates that about 58% of the women had Hb less than 12 g/dl. Furthermore, the very low serum ferritin levels (less than 20 ng/ml) encountered in 75.6% of subjects, demonstrate the small size of their iron stores. This precarious iron balance indicates that these women are at a high risk of nutritional anemia. Numerous factors such as pregnancy or parasitical infestation can dramatically modify this iron balance and increase the prevalence of anemia in this population.