Unbound Iron Binding Capacity (UIBC) – An Alternative Lab Parameter for Iron Stores?

Introduction:Iron is a component of a number of proteins including haemoglobin, myoglobin, cytochromes and enzymes deficiency of which leads to iron deficiency anemia and excess in iron overload. There is a panel of tests to assess iron status in the body. A low serum iron & ferritin with an elevated TIBC are diagnostic of iron deficiency. While a low serum ferritin is virtually diagnostic of iron deficiency.AS ferritin is an acute phase reactant, it may not be a good marker for iron overload.The objective of the study was to find out whether UIBC is an alternative lab parameter of iron storage/ overload compared to ferritin.Methodology:In a retrospective study conducted, data of 118 patients were collected, who were categorized as iron deficient and those with iron overload. Ferritin, UIBC and serum iron were assayed and remaining parameters were calculated.ROC curves were constructed using SPSS version 16 software.Results:Area under the curve (AUC) for ferritin as a marker of iron storage, AUC for UIBC, serum iron, TIBC and transferrin were 0.108,0.607,0.098,0.098 respectively. In patients with iron depletion, it was observed that AUC was 0.371 and 0.566 respectivelyfor ferritin and UIBC respectively.

Influencia de la velocidad de crecimiento y tipo de alimentación láctea sobre la reserva corporal de hierro a los dos meses de edad

Introducción. El objetivo del estudio es establecer la influencia que tiene la alimentación láctea y la velocidad de crecimiento sobre la reserva de hierro (Fe) a los 2 meses de edad. Material y métodos. En un estudio longitudinal y aleatorio, se incluyeron a neonatos de término sanos, registrando las variables de crecimiento (peso, longitud supina, perímetro cefálico), así como los valores de hemoglobina (Hb) y ferritina sérica (FS) al nacimiento, 1 y 2 meses de edad, de acuerdo al tipo de alimentación láctea (materna, sucedáneos o mixta). Resultados. Se incluyeron 127 casos, con 57, 14 y 56 lactantes para cada grupo de alimentación. No ocurrieron diferencias estadísticas en la velocidad de crecimiento, entre los 3 grupos. Los valores promedio de Hb fueron de 19.6, 18.8 y 19.1 g/dL, de 14.3, 13.3 y 13.7 g/dL y de 12.0, 11.7 y 11.7 g/dL, para la FS los valores promedio fueron de 333, 297 y 347 µg/L, de 253, 277 y 258 µg/L y al segundo mes de edad 237, 227 y 243 µg/L, sin diferencias estadísticas. La prevalencia global de deficiencia de Fe fue de 3.9%. Conclusiones. Los preparados comerciales de la leche, fortificados con 12 mg/L de Fe, no presentan ventaja adicional a la leche materna, la velocidad de crecimiento corporal, valores de Hb y reserva de Fe a los 2 meses de edad.

Introduction. The objective of this study was to establish the influence of milk feeding and growth velocity on iron store at 2 months of age. Material and methods. In a longitudinal and randomized study, we included to healthy newborn, anthropometric data (weight, height, and cephalic perimeter), hemoglobin (Hb), and serum ferritin (SF) values at birth, 1 and 2 months of age were obtain according to type of milk feeding received (breast, formula fortified with iron at 12 mg/L or mixed). Results. We included 127 cases, with 57, 14 and 56 newborn for each group. No statistical differences were observed in growth velocity. The values average of Hb were of 19.6, 18.8 and 19.1 g/dL, of 14.3, 13.3 and 13.7 g/dL and of 12.0, 11.7 and 11.7 g/dL, for the FS the values average were of 333, 297 and 347 µg/L, of 253, 277 and 258 µg/L and 2 month of age 237, 227 and 243 µg/L, without statistical differences. The global prevalence of iron deficiency was of 3.9%. Conclusions. Milk formulas, fortified with iron at 12 mg/L, do no represent additional advantage in body growth, Hb values and iron store.

IRON STORES OF MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN / 营养学报

Body iron store is one of the important aspects of the iron status in a population. According to the model established by Cook and Finch, the iron stores of 254 middle-aged Chinese women were estimated. The median of iron stores was calculated to be -282 mg with the 5th percentile of -630 mg and the 95th percentile of 32 mg respectively. The risk factors of iron deficiency in these middle-aged women were menorrhagia (RR 4.55), application of intrauterine device (RR 1.88), history of blood loss (RR 1.65), and chronic gastrointestinal diseases (RR 0.84). The key point of the application of the Cook's model was discussed.

INVESTIGATION OF MATERNAL IRON STATUS IN GRAVIDA AND THE FETAL IRON STORE / 营养学报

Eight parameters about iron nutrition were observed longitudinally in eighty pregnant women from the first trimester to delivery. Their nutrients intake were recorded at the same time. It was noted that serum iron store (ferritin) decreased markedly in the course of pregnancy and the incidence of iron deficiency increased. Total iron intake was closely related to the variation of these parameters, the degree of iron deficiency in pregnant women and the content of cord ferritin. Iron in maternal serum is correlated to ferritin in the cord blood. It suggested that natural food abundant in iron, or food fortified with iron should be taken in early pregnancy to prevent iron deficiency of mothers.