Prevalence of Iron Deficiency in Healthy Adolescents

  

    

    
S Ferritin interval �g/L
    
Statistical comparisons, P
  
  

    
Group 1
      
<16
    
Group 2
      
16-49
    
Group 3
      
=50
    
Group1
      
vs. group 2
    
Group 1
      
vs. group 3
    
Group 2
      
vs. group 3
  
  

    
Hb g/L
    
130 (7)
    
134 (8)
    
136 (7)
    
.002
    
.0001
    
.001
  
  

    
MCV fL
    
85.0 (4)
    
89.8 (4)
    
90.4 (4)
    
.005
    
.0001
    
.001
  
  

    
MCH pg
    
28.4 (2)
    
29.6(1.5)
    
29.9(1.6)
    
.0001
    
.06
    
.001
  
  

    
MCHC g/L
    
327 (71)
    
329 (63)
    
330 (64)
    
.001
    
.0002
    
.07
  
  

    
RDW %
    
13.0 (0.8)
    
12.7(0.6)
    
13.0 (1)
    
.001
    
.07
    
.001
  
  

    
ST %
    
28 (12)
    
30 (9)
    
31 (10)
    
.005
    
.001
    
.04
  
  

    
S Ferritin �g/dL
    
11 (3)
    
63 (9)
    
81 (34)
    
.0001
    
.0001
    
.0001
  
  

    


    Hb: Hemoglobin; MCV: Mean Cell Volume; MCH: Mean    Cell Hemoglobin; MCHC: Mean Cell Hemoglobin Concentration; RDW: Red Cell    Distribution Width; ST: Transferrin Saturation. 
      
112 (7.9 %) had IDA
      
1295 non-anemic    females divided in groups:
      
1 depletion of iron    stores, n= 180 (12.8 %)
      
2 latent iron    deficiency, n=705 (50.2 %)
      
3    normal iron status, n= 409 (29.1 %) 
      
 
  

Table 2: Analytical data of 1407 girls, with no indication of the presence of neither inflammation nor underlying disease.

Discussion

Iron Deficiency (ID) is produced by an imbalance between requirements and the quantity ingested and absorbed. This deficiency proceeds is sequential stages: first a decrease in iron stores with serum ferritin bellow reference range, then the depletion of depots (ferritin <15 μg/L), but normal Hb; after the exhaustion of iron the imbalance between supply and requirements makes the erythropoiesis iron restricted, with low Hb synthesis and anemia.

ID is the most common and widespread nutritional disorder, has been recognized as a problem mainly in developing countries, it is also an enormous public health problem in the industrialized world. Most causes in the developing countries were sanitary and nutritional; in western countries increased demands in fertile age women, children and adolescents, due to higher physiological demands, are leading causes [10]. ID, even without anemia, is also associated with a variety of physical symptoms, including fatigue and decreased tolerance for exercise, as well as neuropsychological sequelae such as irritability, apathy, depressive symptoms, and decreased cognitive function and quality of life [11].

The high prevalence of ID and IDA found in our adolescents was unexpected, 40% of the boys and 63% of girls had s-ferritin below reference values. Our area, in the North coast of Spain, is a high income region; our 3,50,000 inhabitants live in villages of 30,000- 40,000 habitants where industry, agriculture and services are the main activities. In our opinion different causes related to lifestyle in our youths are contributing to this situation. A great number of factors predispose to ID and their diversity reflects the socioeconomic status and general development of society.

In low income countries micronutrient deficiencies due to an inadequate diet, leading to an insufficient intake of nutrients such as iron, folic acid, vitamin A, vitamin B12 and vitamin D, are still common; poor bioavailability is also present, with excessive phytate, phosphate, and oxalate and tannin intake. In addition to an inadequate diet and malnutrition, there are other possible associated conditions such as malabsorption due to parasitosis of the gastrointestinal tract [3,10].

In the develop world and western societies the etiology of ID is radically different, linked to lifestyle and habits. In industrialized countries dietary iron intake of adolescents may be poor as the result of inadequate level of iron in the diet with sufficient bioavailability to satisfy the body’s demands during this particular period of nutritional vulnerability. Another characteristic that is common among adolescents refers to a change in dietary habits resulting from peer influence, a need for self-affirmation within the family or as the result of the behavioural or social changes that teenagers face during this phase [3,12].

Adolescents’ dietary habits are often inadequate and more food is consumed outside the home. The consequences of current lifestyles, with increasing dependence on harmful fast food, since there are often important nutritional limitations with this type of food, including its high energy, fat and sodium content in conjunction with its poor fiber, vitamin, calcium and iron content [13]. The availability, ease and speed of food preparation and the influence of peers and of the media makes this food a favorite and most of these factors contribute to an iron-poor diet [14].

All articles revised and mentioned are concordant in the marked differences in iron status between boys and girls, due primarily from menstrual bleeding. Menarche and menstrual abnormalities in adolescents, in combination with an inadequate diet is the cause of the higher prevalence of ID in girls. Heavy menstrual bleeding is a common cause of ID and IDA in women of reproductive age. In these cases, menstrual bleeding is chronically heavier than normal, causing a negative iron balance [15,16].

Menarche in girls imposes additional requirements to balance menstrual iron losses. Biological differences, but also gender social roles could also contribute to the differences in iron status between boys and girls. Young people, but especially girls, at these ages tend to pay more attention on their appearances. Many girls feel pressure to be thin from peer pressure from friends and famous women on social media, leading to improper nutrition. Not controlled diets, low calorie consumption, excessive weight control a desire for a slim figure, lead to poor nutrition and improper dietary behavior [14].

Screening for ID is routinely tested in the primary care setting with a Complete Blood Count (CBC). However, these tests are unable to identify ID without anemia: normal Hb level does not exclude ID, because individuals must lose a large amount of body iron during a long period before anemia is established [17]. Studies on the prevalence of ID were previously based mainly on Hb determinations and focused on the prevalence of anemia caused by low iron. The distributions of the classic hematologic parameters of iron status, Hb red cell indices (MCH and MCV), are wide in normal subjects and show a marked overlap with the corresponding distributions in irondeficient subjects. These methods can therefore only validly be used when the severity of ID is marked. In highly industrialized countries, where this severity is usually mild. These methods are therefore too insensitive, both in the single patient and in epidemiologic studies. This may lead to underestimation of the prevalence of ID if a reasonably high specificity is ascertained [18].

Serum ferritin concentration is the accepted gold standard used for identification of storage iron depletion while no significant changes in the hemogram, due to long lifespan of erythrocytes, are seen in this stage [19].

Several thresholds were proposed for the diagnosis of ID with the use of ferritin concentrations across specialties and indications. The 12-15 μg/L thresholds for ferritin were proposed in guidelines, including those in the general population, women, children, and patients with kidney or digestive diseases. The 25-30 μg/L is the threshold for functional compartment impairment and iron deficient erythropoiesis. The 45-50 μg/L threshold is the limit of reference range for ferritin was proposed and involved the general population with a diagnosis of ID that was estimated as “probably” [20,21]. In our study the lower limit of the reference range defines ID and 16 μg/L the depletion of stores.

Several bias factors may influence the validity of the comparisons of the prevalence of ID in different groups examined; infection rates not considered and/or subjects with Hb genetic disorders with anemia but no ID not excluded; seasonal variations could affect the results obtained and are not usually even referred by authors. Our study was conducted in autumn and confounding factors (infection, inflammation, Hemoglobinopathies) excluded. Comparisons can be difficult because the glossary of terms can also differ, mostly when different Laboratory tests not generally available (soluble Transferrin Receptor, Zn protoporphyrin) are included, or different cut offs for s-ferritin define the groups [22,23].

In the last decade, the prevalence of ID in Spain was reported to be 8 .6% and 12.6% in boys and girls respectively. Iron stores were considered to be depleted when S-Ferritin <12 μg/L, and affected 2.2% in boys 6.3% in girls. The conclusions were that ID was relatively common and Health care programs for children and adolescents should aim specifically to prevent, detect and control ID [24].

This data are surpassed by the rates among adolescents in other European countries such as Denmark (16%), UK (28%), or Ireland; (43%); Finland and France presented lower prevalence (4.7% and 3.1% respectively), in the same decade [25]. In this study, the overall proportion of Iron depletion was 17.6%; it was significantly higher in girls (21.0%) than in boys (13.8%). The prevalence of iron depletion by geographical location was: 23% in Eastern Europe, 19% in Northern Europe, 18% in Western Europe, 17% in Central Europe and 15% in Southern Europe.

More recently, an evaluation of Iron status of the adolescents in Europe using biochemical indicators was conducted [26]. The proportion of anemia was 4.4%, consistent with the estimates of the worldwide prevalence of anemia during adolescence: 27% in developing countries and 6% in developed countries [27].

The proportion in our area more or less doubles this prediction: 8.6% and 7.9% in boys and girls respectively, while the proportion of subjects with iron depletion (ferritin <16 μg/L irrespectively from Hb level) is 20.7% in girls and 12.4% in boys, is in perfect concordance with HELENA study [26], reporting 21% and 13.8% in females and males respectively. The percentages also correspond to those reported in two studies in Sweden in the nineties. Using the same cutoff value for serum ferritin a 14-15% incidence in non-anemic adolescents was found [28,29].

All these studies suggest that ID with and without anemia remains a common yet treatable condition in adolescents in Europe. The concern is that the volunteers were not aware of their iron status, which can cause other health problems. Iron depletion may hamper cognitive development and lead to poor school performances in areas such as cognitive function, mathematics score, memory test, attention and verbal learning and Intelligent Quotient tests during a critical period of their lives where grades and future aspirations could be determined [30].

Conclusion

It may seem paradoxical that a nutrient deficiency disorder would be common among adolescents in highly industrialized countries with excess of foods.

The correlation of s-Ferritin with Hb and the higher percentage of iron depletion in girls with respect to boys suggest that the risk of developing IDA is higher in girls. If latent ID is not corrected, it may indeed progress to ID and finally anemia.

In view of the magnitude of this problem and the number of risk factors involved, urgent and systematic actions need to be taken to prevent and treat ID. Health care programs usually focus in children, while no special programs are conducted for adolescents. Those programs should be implemented, and aim specifically to prevent, detect and control ID in adolescents or at least girls.

Given the crucial role of general practitioners in the diagnosis and management of this condition, our findings may contribute to increase the awareness of ID among physicians as well as to reduce its occurrence among at-risk patients.

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