ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: During the adolescent growths spurt, iron deficiency becomes more common, particularly with the additional factors of menstrual blood loss in females and the androgen-related rise in hemoglobin concentration in males. This study was conducted to investigate the iron status in the adolescent students. METHODS: Venous peripheral blood was sampled from 178 males(79 of 12-13years, 99 of 15-16years) who were 1st grade students of two boy's middle schools and two high schools and from 186 females(87 of 12-13years, 99 of 15-16years) who were 1st grade students of two girl's middle schools and two high schools. Laboratory procedures included a hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum iron, TIBC and serum ferritin. Transferrln saturation was calculated. RESULTS: 1) Mean values were hemoglobin 13.7+/-0.78 g/dl, hematocrit 40.6+/-2.47%, serum iron 127.6+/-43.02 ug/dl, TIBC 387.9+/-47.73 ug/dl, transferrin saturation 33.3+/-11.38%, and serum ferritin 26.1+/-16.90 ng/ml in 12-13years old males. 2) Mean values were hemoglobin 13.7+/-0.85 g/dl, hematocrit 40.9+/-3.79%, serum iron 99.4+/-34.93 ug/dl, TIBC 387.8+/-45.53 ug/dl, transferrin saturation 26.2+/-9.99%, and serum ferritin in 22.7+/-14.18 ng/ml in 12-13years old females. 3) Mean values were hemoglobin 15.2+/-0.84 g/dl, hematocrit 45.9+/-2.77%, serum iron 144.9+/-51.97 ug/dl, TIBC 419.8+/-52.46 ug/dl, transferrin saturation 34.2+/-10.44%, and serum ferritin 31.2+/-20.91 ng/dl in 15-16years old males. 4) Mean values were hemoglobin 13.2+/-0.89 g/dl, hematocrit 39.9+/-2.78%, serum iron 111.1+/-39.78 ug/dl, TIBC 392.8+/-50.06 ug/dl, transferrin saturation 28.9+/-10.85%, and serum ferritin 21.4+/-17.11 ng/ml in 15-16years old females. 5) The prevalence of iron deficiency was 8.9% and 10.1% in 12-13years and 15-16years old males respectively. In 12-13years and 15-16years old females, the prevalence was 16.1% and 29.3% respectively. The prevalence of iron deficincy anemia was 1.1% and 2.0% in 12-13years and 15-16years old female and absent in male. CONCLUSIONS: Although hemoglobin is normal, we recommend to check other parameters to optimize the identification of individuals with iron deficiency.