Evaluation of the Iron Status in the Adolescents in Seoul / 대한소아혈액종양학회지

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.

The Analytic Review of Standard Growth Value in School-Age Children in Seoul

PURPOSE: It hasn't been developed a new standard growth value for children in Korea since 1985. This study was designed to compare the difference of standard growth value of height, weight and chest circumference for school-age children in Seoul between 1985 and 1994. METHODS: Height, weight and chest circumference were measured in 6,308 students, aged 6-17 years, of 12 elementary schools, 12 junior and 12 senior high schools located in Seoul on 5th to 15th May 1994. And there data were compared with the standard growth value for school-age children of Seoul in 1985. RESULTS: The results were as follows, 1) The height in 50 percentiles in 1994 was compared to 50 to 75 percentiles in 1985 and the height in 3percentiles in 1994 was compared to 10 to 25 percentiles in 1985. 2) The weight in 50 percentiles in 1994 was compared to 50 to 75 percentiles in 1985. 3) The height was increased equally in every percentiles, but weight and chest circumference were increased more markedly in high growth percentiles. CONCLUSIONS: It is mandatory to have a new standard growth value for children in Korea through the nation wide investigation because of difference of growth value between 1994 and 1985 in Seoul.