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The relationship between iron deficiency and anemia in Venezuelan children
P G Taylor1, C Martínez-Torres, H Méndez-Castellano
1Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (IVIC), Caracas, Venezuela.
Insights
Assessing iron status in children revealed significant challenges. Hemoglobin levels often overlapped between iron-deficient and non-deficient individuals, complicating diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Nutrition Science
- Pediatric Health
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Iron deficiency is a global health concern, particularly in children.
- Accurate assessment of iron status is crucial for timely intervention.
- Previous studies highlight variability in iron status indicators.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate iron status indicators in Venezuelan children aged 1-16 years.
- To compare hemoglobin, serum ferritin, and transferrin saturation.
- To analyze the prevalence and diagnostic challenges of iron deficiency.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from 3228 subjects in the Proyecto Venezuela nutrition survey.
- Comparison of hemoglobin concentration, serum ferritin concentration, and transferrin saturation.
- Stratification of subjects by age groups and sex.
Main Results:
- Significant overlap observed between hemoglobin curves for iron-deficient and non-iron-deficient subjects.
- Prevalence of iron deficiency ranged from 35% (1-3 year olds) to 10% (adolescent males).
- 80-97% of subjects with abnormal iron indicators were not anemic, indicating diagnostic limitations.
Conclusions:
- Hemoglobin concentration alone is an unreliable indicator for diagnosing iron deficiency in this population.
- Serum ferritin and transferrin saturation are more sensitive but diagnostic challenges persist.
- Further research is needed to refine iron status assessment methods in children.
Abstract:
The iron status of 3228 subjects from the nutrition survey Proyecto Venezuela was studied. The sample included children from 1 to 16 y of age grouped by age and sex. Values for three indicators of iron status were compared: hemoglobin concentration, serum ferritin concentration, and percentage saturation of serum transferrin. In all groups there was a strong overlap in the hemoglobin concentration distribution curves for non-iron-deficient and iron-deficient subjects classified as such according to the other two indexes. The prevalence of iron deficiency ranged from 35% in 1-3 y olds to 10% in adolescent males, the values being almost identical in the nonanemic group compared with the total population. In the different groups, 80-97% of the subjects with abnormal values of at least one of these two indexes were not anemic. The difficulties involved in establishing a state of iron deficiency according to these indexes are discussed.