Lymphocyte DNA damage in children with iron-deficiency anemia: a case–control study

Abstract

Context Iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) is a widespread yet one of the most neglected micronutrient deficiency disorder worldwide. Aims The objective was to evaluate lymphocyte DNA damage in children with anemia. Materials and methods This was a prospective case–control study. A total of 80 infants and children aged six months to twelve years were included. Fifty had IDA, whereas 30 were controls. DNA damage scoring using alkaline comet assay was done in all children. Percentage and mean and/or SEM were calculated. Comparison between cases and controls was done using Student’s t test. Analysis of variance test was used to compare the groups within the cases and controls. Pearson correlation coefficient was performed to relate the hemoglobin levels with the DNA damage. Statistical software was used for analysis. Results DNA damage scoring was significant in all the parameters in the iron-deficiency group with respect to the tail length and percentages of DNA in tail and olive moment, with a P value of 0.006, 0.002, and 0.038, respectively. A statistically significant negative correlation was found between hemoglobin levels and percentage of DNA in tail (r=−0.280; P=0.012) as well as olive moment (r=−0.240; P=0.032) Conclusion IDA was associated significantly with lymphocyte DNA damage. A significant negative correlation between hemoglobin levels and percentage of DNA and olive moment was also elucidated. The authors conclude that early intervention is needed in even mild cases of IDA.