Korean J Pediatr.
2004 Oct;47(10):1041-1046.
Iron Deficiency Anemia and Iron Nutrition in Adolescent Female Athletes
- Affiliations
-
- 1Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Inha University Incheon, Korea. pedkim@inha.ar.kr
- 2Department of Physical Education, College of Education, Inha University Incheon, Korea.
Abstract
- PURPOSE
Iron deficiency, particularly iron deficiency anemia(IDA) often not only decreases athletic performance but also impairs immune function and leads to other physiologic dysfunctions. This study was designed to assess and compare iron status and the IDA prevalence in female adolescent athletes with those of general adolescent students.
METHODS
Physical measurements and hematologic examinations were performed for adolescent female runners(n=32), non-runner athletes(n=78) and apparently healthy students(n=511). Iron deficiency was defined as a serum ferritin concentration <12 ng/mL. The diagnosis of IDA was established when hemoglobin level <12 g/dL was associated with ferritin <12 ng/mL and/or transferrin saturation <16%.
RESULTS
The prevalence of ID in the runners' group(40.6%) was significantly higher than that of the non-runner athletes' group(23.1%) and the control group(25.4%). The prevalence of IDA in the runners' group was 31.3%, which was significantly higher than that of the non-runners' group and the control group(7.7% and 16.4%, respectively).
CONCLUSION
The prevalence of IDA of Korean adolescent females was relatively high, especially, in female adolescent runners. Screening for anemia and iron status is warranted. It is important to measure for iron nutrition and to enforce effective nutritional education in these groups.
