Abstract
BackgroundIron deficiency anemia remains a common cause of anemia in young children. The term iron deficiency without anemia, or the so-called latent iron deficiency, has become increasingly significant as it is not only difficult to identify this condition in non-anemic children, but it also adversely affects neurocognitive development, and unfortunately, some of these effects may be irreversible and not respond to treatment. This cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate iron status in 68 apparently healthy, non-anemic Egyptian children aged 1–6 years. They were subjected to detailed history-taking, physical examination, complete blood count, and tests for serum iron, total iron binding capacity, serum ferritin, and transferrin saturation.ResultsLow serum ferritin level and low transferrin saturation were detected in 41.2% and 47% of the children, respectively. Iron deficiency parameters were significantly affected among toddlers aged “1” to “3” years compared with preschool children, and boys were found to be more affected than girls of the same age group.ConclusionsA normal hemoglobin level does not exclude iron deficiency, which should be screened in healthy children to prevent the possible long-term effects of iron deficiency on their cognition and mental development.
Highlights
Iron deficiency anemia remains a common cause of anemia in young children
Despite a marked decline in prevalence, iron deficiency anemia (IDA) remains a common cause of anemia in young children [2]
70% of the total body iron is contained in heme compounds, 29% is stored as ferritin and hemosiderin, < 1% is incorporated into heme-containing enzymes, and < 0.2% is found circulating in the plasma bound to transferrin [6]
Summary
Iron deficiency anemia remains a common cause of anemia in young children. The term iron defi‐ ciency without anemia, or the so-called latent iron deficiency, has become increasingly significant as it is difficult to identify this condition in non-anemic children, but it adversely affects neurocognitive development, and some of these effects may be irreversible and not respond to treatment. This cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate iron status in 68 apparently healthy, non-anemic Egyptian children aged 1–6 years. The body requires iron for the synthesis of its oxygen transport proteins, Approximately 70% of the total body iron is contained in heme compounds (e.g., hemoglobin and myoglobin), 29% is stored as ferritin and hemosiderin, < 1% is incorporated into heme-containing enzymes (e.g., cytochromes, catalase, and peroxidase), and < 0.2% is found circulating in the plasma bound to transferrin [6]
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