ISSN 2997-1036
International Journal of Hematology | Vol. 7, No. 12, December 2016 | pp. 89–96
DOI: 10.46882/2016/IJH/000084
Original Article
Title: Evaluation of automated microcytic red blood cell sub-populations in the early identification of latent iron deficiency
Names of Authors: S. T. Adeyemi¹, U. V. Okoye², W. X. Salami³
Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria; ²Department of Medicine, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria; ³Department of Paediatrics, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
Abstract: Latent iron deficiency involves the depletion of tissue iron stores before an absolute drop in total hemoglobin concentration occurs. This prospective study evaluated the screening performance of automated red blood cell sub-populations, specifically the percentage of hypochromic red cells (%Hypo) and microcytic red cells (%Micro), for identifying latent iron depletion in 150 non-anemic adult women. Erythrocyte parameters were determined on an advanced multi-angle scatter hematology analyzer, with a serum ferritin value below 15 ng/ml serving as the reference standard for depleted stores. Latent iron deficiency was identified biochemically in 22.6% (34 of 150) of the participants. The mean percentage of hypochromic red blood cells was significantly higher in the iron-deficient group (4.8 ± 1.2% versus 1.1 ± 0.3% in iron-replete cohorts, P < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis established a %Hypo threshold above 2.5% combined with a %Micro above 3.2% as optimal for predicting iron depletion, yielding a diagnostic sensitivity of 88.2% and a specificity of 84.4%. Measuring automated red blood cell sub-populations provides a real-time, low-cost screening tool that can identify iron-restricted erythropoiesis during routine health evaluations.
Keywords: Latent iron deficiency, hypochromic red cells, serum ferritin, cell counter indices, iron-restricted erythropoiesis
Manuscript Timeline: Received: September 14, 2016; Revised: October 22, 2016; Accepted: November 10, 2016; Published: December 15, 2016