[Usefulness of the determination of free erythrocyte protoporphyrin in relation to other hematologic parameters in iron deficiency]

Abstract

Hematological parameters and free eythrocyte protoporphyrin (FEP) on a capillary blood sample were measured in 175 apparently healthy children ranging from 6 months to six years of age. Thirty eight children had hematological parameters descended and/or FEP elevated were asked to return for blood counts, FEP, serum ferritin, serum iron, total iron binding, capacity, transferrin saturation and ALA-D activity, on a venous blood sample. Only 34 children returned. Twenty seven, 15.4%, had iron stores descended or iron deficiency, 18 of them with anemia. FEP had significant correlation coefficients with hematologic parameters (p less than 0.001), serum iron and transferrin saturation (p less than 0.01). On iron deficiency anemia detection, the FEP had a sensibility and specificity of 0.94 and 0.75 respectively.