PREDICTION OF IRON DEFICIENCY IN CHILDREN USING EASY LABORATORY TOOLS.

Iron deficiency anemia is a common condition in children that can impair growth and development. This study aimed to evaluate the utility of easy, routinely available laboratory tests in predicting iron deficiency anemia. Medical records of 55 children (mean age 4.9±3.2 years) with laboratory evaluation of anemia were analyzed retrospectively. Parameters included complete blood count, serum iron, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), serum ferritin and transferrin saturation. Based on reference ranges, hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum ferritin and transferrin saturation were reduced below normal, indicating clear iron deficiency. Although within normal limits, red blood cell count, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin and serum iron were close to lower limits, suggesting subtle deficiency. In contrast, red cell distribution width, platelet count, white blood cell count, TIBC and unsaturated iron binding capacity were unaffected. In conclusion, hemoglobin, and hematocrit from complete blood count, along with subtle changes in some of the red cell indices, can strongly suggest, iron deficiency anemia in children, Taking into consideration the increased body demand of iron in this age group with follow-up to ensure a desirable response, with less need for more advanced iron studies. These widely available, inexpensive tests may facilitate early detection and treatment of this common pediatric condition.