Prognostic value of reticulocyte hemoglobin content to diagnose iron deficiency in 6–24-month-old children

Objective. The aim of our study was to evaluate the prognostic value of reticulocyte hemoglobin content for diagnosis of iron deficiency in 6–24-month-old children.
Material and methods. Children aged 6 to 24 months were consulted for suspected iron deficiency in the outpatient department in 2006–2007. Criteria for inclusion into the study were normal birth time and weight, no infection during the last two weeks before blood sampling (Creactive protein <5 mg/L), no iron supplements 1 month before the study. Red blood cell, reticulocyte indices and biochemical tests were analyzed. A total of 180 children were enrolled in our study. Iron deficiency was diagnosed when at least two of four parameters (ferritin, transferrin, transferrin saturation, and soluble transferrin receptors) reflected iron deficiency.
Results. According to our criteria of iron deficiency, patients were divided into two groups: 116 had iron deficiency and 64 had normal iron stores. The iron deficiency group had significantly lower hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, reticulocyte hemoglobin content, ferritin, soluble transferrin receptors, iron and higher red cell distribution width, transferrin, and transferrin saturation (P<0.05) compared with the normal iron store group. Reticulocyte hemoglobin content, ferritin, and transferrin saturation had the highest sensitivity and specificity (76.6% and 78.4%, 81.3% and 81.9%, 85.9% and 87.9%, respectively).
Conclusion. Reticulocyte hemoglobin content is comparable test with ferritin and transferrin saturation and can be used to detect iron deficiency in 6–24-month-old children.