Serum ferritin and its usefulness in detecting iron deficiency anaemia among children with protein energy malnutrition: a case–control study in North Central Nigeria.
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Date
2017
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Menoufia Med J Published by Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University
Abstract
Objectives
The aim of this study was to assess the value of serum ferritin among protein energy
malnutrition (PEM) patients with iron deficiency.
Background
Iron deficiency is the most common micronutrient deficiency seen in PEM and a common
cause of morbidity and mortality in this condition.
Patients and methods
This was a case–control study in which participants were children diagnosed with PEM and
controls were children with normal nutrition. Ninety consented participants and controls
participated in the study with informed consent obtained from caregivers. Full blood count
and examination of a peripheral blood smear, as well as serum ferritin concentration, was
analysed by enzyme‑linked immunosorbent assay. Data entry and analysis were carried out
with a micro‑computer using the SPSS, version 16, software packages.
Results
The mean age of the children with PEM was 22.7 ± 14.4 months. In the participants, prevalence
of iron deficiency was 24.4%, whereas that of iron deficiency anaemia was 16.6%. Mean serum
ferritin levels were significantly higher in the controls compared with participants (P = 0.000).
The sensitivity and specificity of serum ferritin was 100.0% (95% confidence interval), and the
likelihood ratio was 0.00 (95% confidence interval).
Conclusion
Patients with PEM were found to have high prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia and low
serum ferritin levels. The sensitivity and specificity of serum ferritin levels were found to be
high among PEM patients with iron deficiency anaemia.
Description
Keywords
Serum ferritin, Iron deficiency anaemia, Protein energy malnutrition, North Central Nigeria
Citation
30 (2); 575–580,