The effect of iron-deficiency anaemia on two indices of nutritional status, prealbumin and transferrin

Abstract

1. Serum prealbumin, transferrin and iron concentrations were measured in ninety-two north Cameroonian children under 5 years of age. The results were grouped according to the blood haemoglobin concentration range in order to show the interactions of anaemia with prealbumin and transferrin concentrations.2. Transferrin concentration showed a significant negative correlation with serum Fe and percentage saturation of transferrin values. Prealbumin concentration showed a significant direct correlation with haemoglobin but did not correlate with either serum Fe or percentage saturation of transferrin.3. It is concluded that in regions where Fe-deficiency anaemia is endemic transferrin concentration may be of little value in determining nutritional status. On the contrary, prealbumin seems to be more useful.