IRON DEFICIENCY

Risk groups for iron deficiency

Groups with low energy intake, e.g.,

• infants and small children
• elderly
• slimmers

Groups with high iron requirements, e.g.,

• women in fertile age (especially in pregnancy)
• adolescents
• blood donors

[Ref 5]

Lower international cut-off values for serum ferritin [Ref 18]:

• Age 1/2 - 14 years -- Empty iron stores (<10 µg/L) -- Borderline (12-20 µg/L)
• Age >15 years -- Empty iron stores (12 µg/L) -- Borderline (12-20 µg/L)

Lower cut-off value for transferrin saturation [Ref 18]:

• 15%

[Ref 1]