EVALUATION OF IRON STATUS OF A POPULATION

Abstract

The Fe status of a population of 1564 subjects living in NW USA was evaluated by measurements of transferrin saturation, red cell protoporphyrin and serum ferritin. The frequency distribution of these parameters showed no distinct separation between normal and Fe-deficient subjects. When only 1 of these 3 parameters was abnormal (transferrin saturation < 15%, red cell protoporphyrin > 100 .mu.g/ml packed red blood cells, serum ferritin < 12 ng/ml), the prevalence of anemia was only slightly greater (10.9%) than in the entire sample (8.3%). The prevalence of anemia was increased to 28% in individuals with 2 or more abnormal parameters, and to 63% when all 3 parameters were abnormal. As defined by the presence of at least 2 abnormal parameters, the prevalence of Fe deficiency in various populations separated on the basis of age and sex ranged from 3% in adolescent and adult males to 20% in menstruating women. The accuracy of detecting Fe deficiency in population surveys can be substantially improved by employing a battery of laboratory measurements of the Fe status.