Serum transferrin receptor and zinc protoporphyrin as indicators of iron status in African children.

Background: Although transferrin receptor (TfR) and zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP) are often used to define iron status in school-age children in developing countries, the diagnostic cutoffs for this age group are uncertain.

Objective: The objective was to determine the sensitivity and specificity of TfR and ZnPP in predicting iron deficiency in black and white children in Africa.

Design: Hemoglobin, C-reactive protein (CRP), serum ferritin (SF), TfR, and ZnPP were measured in children in Côte d'Ivoire and Morocco.