In developing countries, such as Pakistan, laboratories do not routinely screen for iron deficiency unless the patient presents with symptoms of anaemia. Efforts to prevent the often serious consequences of iron depletion are hampered in developing countries by the expense and impracticality of routinely screening patients using bone marrow examination. Assays for serum iron concentrations, total iron-binding capacity or haemoglobin and examinations of blood films, although more practical, cannot detect the earliest stages of iron deficiency. Serum ferritin appears to be a sensitive, early indicator of iron deficiency and can be easily and relatively inexpensively determined using an immunoassay kit. In the present study, serum ferritin levels were determined using immunoassay and compared to blood films, serum iron levels and total iron-binding capacity values in 300 apparently healthy Pakistanis. In the early stages of iron deficiency, serum ferritin appeared to be a sensitive measure of iron depletion.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/030006059101900102DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

iron deficiency
20
serum ferritin
12
iron
9
developing countries
8
iron depletion
8
serum iron
8
total iron-binding
8
iron-binding capacity
8
blood films
8
stages iron
8

Similar Publications

SidF, a dual substrate N5-acetyl-N5-hydroxy-L-ornithine transacetylase involved in siderophore biosynthesis.

J Struct Biol X

June 2025

Bioorganic Chemistry and Bio-Crystallography Laboratory (B2Cl) Faculty of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, Libera Università di Bolzano, Piazza Università, 1, 39100 Bolzano, Italy.

Siderophore-mediated iron acquisition is essential for the virulence of , a fungus causing life-threatening aspergillosis. Drugs targeting the siderophore biosynthetic pathway could help improve disease management. The transacetylases SidF and SidL generate intermediates for different siderophores in .

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Proper nutrition is vital for maintaining good health for all people across their lifespan, especially children and mothers, who are especially vulnerable due to their specific nutrient needs. Despite the necessity of improved nutrition for these groups, some members do not fully meet their recommended daily micronutrient needs, a challenge exacerbated by different socioeconomic, cultural, and communal constraints resulting in malnutrition. Iron deficiency anaemia is a major concern among children and mothers, especially in pastoralist communities, due to poor nutrition and other related factors.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Perceived influences of fruit and vegetable consumption among Indian adolescents - A qualitative inquiry.

BMC Public Health

January 2025

Department of Nutritional Sciences, College of Health and Human Development, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA.

Background: Fruits and vegetables are primary sources of vitamins and minerals that may alleviate the risk of chronic illnesses. However, Indian adolescents consume inadequate amounts of fruits and vegetables, with less than 10% meeting recommendations. Micronutrient deficiencies are a major public health problem in India.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: Obesity is a potential risk factor for anemia in children. This systematic review (SR) was undertaken to estimate the association of obesity with iron deficiency (ID) and ID anemia (IDA), in children.

Methods: A systematic literature search for observational studies was done in PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and the Cochrane library, with additional hand-searching.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!