Hemoglobin and hematocrit values in iron deficiency in infancy

Abstract

To determine the levels of hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit which might serve as indicators of adequate iron nutrition in infancy, measurements of these parameters in conjunction with transferrin saturation were made in a group of healthy infants 6 to 18 months of age. Infants whose iron intake was adequate, as indicated by a serum transferrin saturation of 16 per cent or greater, maintained a hemoglobin concentration of at least 11.0 Gm. per cent and a hematocrit of at least 33 per cent. Values less than these are indicative of possible iron deficiency. Values greater than these, however, do not rule out iron deficiency since they may be associated with an abnormally low transferrin saturation.