Abstract
Objective
To study the iron profile and find out an accurate diagnostic tool which reflects iron status in different types of infection in severely malnourished children aged 12 months to 71 months.
Methods
Hundred and Eight (108) children of whom 72 children were infected and 36 non infected severely malnourished children according to WHO criteria in the age group of 12–71 months were interrogated. 36 healthy control in the same age group were also interrogated.
Results
Mean serum iron, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), ferritin concentration in normal children were significantly higher (P<0.001) than non-infected severely malnourished children. On the other hand mean serum ferritin concentration was significantly higher (P<0.001) in infected group than non-infected group but still lower than normal. Mean serum TIBC concentration significantly reduced in severely malnourished children than normal children but no significant difference was observed between non-infected and infected group. Mean serum iron, and transferrin saturation were significantly reduced (P<0.05) in parasitic infestation.
Conclusion
Severely malnourished children had reduced mean serum iron profile. Parasitic infestation influenced the marked reduction of mean serum iron concentration and transferrin saturation level. Mean serum iron concentration was reduced in acute respiratory infection(ARI) and parasitic infestation than other infections. Serum ferritin concentration was elevated in all types of infection as acute phase protein but still lower than normal. So Iron, TIBC and Transferin saturation <16% constitute good evidence for iron deficiency in both infected and non-infected severely malnourished children.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Rice AL et al.Malnutrition as an underlying cause of childhood death associated with infectious disease in developing countries. Bull World Health Organization 2000; 78:1207–1221.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Child health situation in Bangladesh: Technical guidelines for child health intervention in Bangladesh. 2003; 1–2
World Health Organization; Management of severe malnutrition. A manual for physicians and other senior health workers. Geneva 1999; 4.
Dallman PR. Iron deficiency and the immune response. Am J Clin Nutr 1987; 46: 329–334.
Amin MR, Begum KA, Bano N, Ehsan MA, Akbar MS. Socio-economic determinants and biochemical status of severely malnourished children. Dhaka Shishu Hosp J 1991;7: 70–77.
Suskind RM, Suskind LL. The malnourished child, Nestle nutrition workshop series. New York; Raven Press 1990; 19: 23–72.
Dallman PR, Siemes MA, Stekel A. Iron deficiency in infancy and childhood. Am J Clin Nutr 1980; 33: 86–118.
Begum T, Islam MN. Study on serum iron, total iron binding capacity in hospitalized PEM children. Bang J Child Health 1996; 20: 77–82.
Dallman PR, Reeves JD. Laboratory diagnosis of iron deficiency. In Stekel A, ed. Iron nutrition in infancy and childhood. New York, Raven Press 1984; 11–24.
Hepplestone AD, Pippard MJ. Microcytic and macrocytic anemia. Med Group J 1996; 23: 4–10.
Koerper MA, Dallman PR. Serum iron concentration and transferrin saturation in the diagnosis of iron deficiency in children, Normal developmental changes. J Pediatr 1977; 6: 870–874.
Snow RW, Byass P, Shenton FC, Greenwood BM. The relationship between anthropometric measurement and measurement of iron status and susceptibility to malaria in Gambian children. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 1991; 85: 584–589.
Asobayire FS, Adou P, Davidsson L, Cook JD, Hurrel RF. Prevalence of iron deficiency with and without concurrent anemia in population groups with high prevalence of malaria and other infections: a study in cote d’Ivon. Am J Clin Nutr 2001; 74: 776–782.
Alemnji GA, Thomas KID, Durosinmi MA, Taiwo O, Fakunle JB. Hematogram and serum iron status of malnourished Nigerian children. E Afr Med J 1995; 72: 605–608.
Martinez H, Clinical feature and management of Protein energy malnutrition. Annales Nestle 1999; 57: 88–95.
Worwood M. Regulation of iron metabolism. Iron deficiency in infancy and childhood. Annales Nestle 1995; 53. 1–10.
Burks JIM. Siimus MA, Mentzer WC, Dallmen PR. Iron deficiency in an Eskimo village. J Pediatr 1976; 88: 224–228.
Tater MI, Singh RN, Gupta RD. Serum iron and total iron binding capacity in anemia in children. Ind Pediatr 1992; 29: 362–363.
Reeds PJ, Laditan AAO. Serum albumin and transferrin in protein-energy malnutrition. Br J Nutr 1976; 36: 255–263.
Hereberg S, Chauliac M, Galan P, Devanlay M, Zohoun I et al. Relationship between anemia, iron and folacin deficiency, hemoglobinopathies and parasitic infection. Hum Nutr Clin Nutr 1986; 40. 371–379.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Atiar Rahman, M., Mannan, M.A. & Rahman, M.H. Influence of infection on iron profile in severely malnourished children. Indian J Pediatr 76, 907–911 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-009-0098-x
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-009-0098-x