Serum Ferritin Concentrations in Adolescents

S. Al- Sharbatti, Shatha

	Serum Ferritin Concentrations in Adolescents
IRAQI JOURNALOF COMMUNITY MEDICINE
Article 1, Volume 19, Issue 1, 2006, Pages 26-34
Author
Shatha S. Al- Sharbatti
Abstract
Abstract: The present study aimed to assess iron stores of Iraqi adolescents by the assessment of their serum ferritin concentration. Collection of data was carried out during the period between the 1st of November 1996 untill the end of April 1997. A sample of 241 adolescents (89 males and 152 females) was included. The study showed that the mean serum ferritin concentration in males was significantly higher than females (24.4 Vs 16.8 microgram /L). Maximum prevalence of severe depletion of iron stores (SF<12 microgram/L) in males and in females was found in the age groups 14-15 and18-19 years respectively. In menstruating females, lowest mean serum ferritin value was found in the first year after menarche. On simple linear regression, in females, significant positive correlations were observed between serum ferritin concentration and dietary intake of calorie, protein and iron and with iron bioavailability of the diet, while significant negative correlation was noticed with the number of pads used during the menstrual period. However, in males, serum ferritin concentration showed significant positive correlations with age, dietary intake of iron and iron bioavailability of the diet. In multiple regression analysis, serum ferritin concentration has significant positive correlations with gender, age-gender interaction and iron bioavailability of the diet, while in females, significant negative correlation was observed with the number of pad used during the menstrual period. Key wards: Iron stores, serum ferritin concentration, adolescents.
Keywords
Iron stores; serum ferritin concentration; adolescents

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