Serum transferrin values in White and Black toddlers: a comparative study

Serum albumin and transferrin levels were measured and compared in healthy White and Black toddlers and a significant difference was found. Black girls had significantly higher transferrin levels than White girls. No significant correlation was found between serum transferrin and either body weight, haemoglobin or serum albumin. These findings seem to question the validity of transferrin as a sensitive parameter for the detection of subtle protein energy malnutrition.