Originally published September 28 2005
New screening test for infant iron deficiency is more accurate
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
A blood test called CHr may be a more simple and effective way of detecting iron deficiency in infants than standard hemoglobin testing. Iron deficiency is the world's most common nutritional deficiency in infants, and CHr could be a big help in curbing mental development problems in infants linked to iron deficiency.
Early detection and treatment are critical because iron deficiency can impair infant mental development, possibly permanently, even before it progresses to anemia (clinically identified as a low hemoglobin level).
The study, done at Children's Hospital Boston, is the first to compare the test, called CHr, with the standard hemoglobin test as a screen for iron deficiency in infants.
Hemoglobin is the iron-containing, oxygen-carrying molecule in red blood cells; the CHr test measures the hemoglobin content of reticulocytes, or immature red blood cells, whereas the standard hemoglobin test is based on the entire population of red blood cells.
Because reticulocytes are present in the bloodstream for only 24 to 48 hours, as compared with several months for mature red blood cells, measuring the reticulocyte hemoglobin content (i.e., CHr) provides a more timely indication of iron status, the investigators say.
In this study, 200 healthy infants 9 to 12 months of age underwent both tests, as well as a transferrin saturation test, which is the "gold standard" test for iron deficiency but is impractical for routine screening.
Now they might," said Henry Bernstein, DO, Associate Chief, General Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Boston and the principal investigator of the study.
"There is mounting evidence that iron deficiency in infants can cause permanent neurocognitive deficits, even before it has progressed to the point of causing anemia," said lead investigator Christina Ullrich, MD, a fellow in pediatric hematology and oncology at Children's Hospital Boston and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute.
There are other tests that can diagnose iron deficiency in the absence of anemia, but they are impractical for routine clinical screening.
Thus, current screening practices miss iron deficiency in non-anemic infants in whom adverse consequences may be developing.
All content posted on this site is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. Truth Publishing LLC takes sole responsibility for all content. Truth Publishing sells no hard products and earns no money from the recommendation of products. NaturalNews.com is presented for educational and commentary purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice from any licensed practitioner. Truth Publishing assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material. For the full terms of usage of this material, visit www.NaturalNews.com/terms.shtml