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Establishment of reference ranges for ferritin in neonates, infants, children and adolescents
G Wiedemann1, L Jonetz-Mentzel
1Klinisch-Chemisches Labor der Klinik und Poliklinik für Kindermedizin, Medizinischen Hochschule, Erfurt, Germany.
Insights
This study establishes reference ranges for serum ferritin in healthy individuals aged 5 days to 18 years. Significant differences in ferritin levels were observed between males and females in the 16-18 year age group.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Clinical Chemistry
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Serum ferritin levels are crucial indicators of iron status and various health conditions.
- Establishing age- and sex-specific reference ranges is essential for accurate clinical interpretation.
- Previous studies may lack comprehensive data across the pediatric and adolescent age spectrum.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine serum ferritin reference ranges in a large cohort of healthy neonates, infants, children, and adolescents.
- To investigate potential age- and sex-based variations in serum ferritin levels.
- To provide updated, statistically robust reference ranges for clinical use.
Main Methods:
- Serum ferritin was quantified using a microparticle enzyme immunoassay (MEIA) on the Abbott IMx platform.
- A cohort of 631 healthy individuals aged 5 days to 18 years was studied.
- Reference ranges were calculated based on the 95% scatter range, including percentiles and minimal/maximal values, with statistical analysis using the Mann & Whitney U-test.
Main Results:
- Serum ferritin reference ranges were established for 9 age groups, stratified by sex.
- Normal Gaussian distribution was observed in only a few reference groups.
- Significantly different reference ranges for serum ferritin were identified between males and females in the 16-18 year age group.
Conclusions:
- Updated serum ferritin reference ranges for pediatric and adolescent populations have been established.
- The findings highlight the importance of considering sex-specific reference ranges, particularly in older adolescents.
- These data provide a valuable resource for clinicians assessing iron status in young individuals.
Abstract:
Ferritin was determined in the sera of 631 healthy neonates, infants, children and adolescents (age range 5 days to 18 years), using the IMx from Abbott Laboratories. The applied test was a microparticle enzyme immunoassay (MEIA). The proband collective was divided into 9 age groups, and each group into males and females. In accordance with the recommendations of the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry, the 95% scatter range was taken as the reference range. Only a few reference groups showed a normal Gaussian distribution. In addition to the 50th percentile, the 2.5th and 97.5th percentile were calculated for all reference groups, and the minimal and maximal values were also reported. Significantly different reference ranges were found for males and females in the age group 16-18 years. The U-test of Mann & Whitney was used to test for significant differences between individual reference groups. Groups showing no significant differences were combined, and the corresponding reference ranges for serum ferritin were then calculated.