state of serum iron and proteins in infantile rickets

ABSTRACT

Forty children with rickets aged 10-24 months and 10 controls of comparable age, sex and socioeconomic status were included in the present study. Serum iron, iron binding capacity, serum albumin, serum calcium, serum phosphorus and serum alkaline phosphatase were measured. A roentgenogram to the lower end of radius and ulna was done for all rachitic children. Iron deficiency anemia was found in 40% of the rachitic children. In the rachitic group a significantly positive correlation was found between serum iron and each of serum calcium and serum phosphorus. A significantly negative correlation was found between serum iron and serum alkaline phosphatae in rachitic in rachitic cases. Iron status was poorer in cases with active rickets than in both controls and cases with healing rickets. Hypoalbuminumia-was found in 25% of rachitic children. A significantly positive correlation was found between serum iron and serum albumin level in cases with rickets. Rachitic children with either hypocalcemia olr hypoalbuminemia showed a significantly lower serum iron and percent of transferrin saturation and a significantly higher iron binding capacity than rachitic children with normal serum calcium and serum albumin levels