IRON DEFICIENCY AND IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA FREQUENCY IN CHILDREN ASSESSED AT SPORTS PREPARTICIPATION EXAMINATION

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia in children aged 10 to 17 years, who referred to the Dokuz Eylül University Sports Medicine Polyclinic for sports preparticipation examination. Thirty six children (15 females, 21males) who met the criteria were included in the study. Whereas iron deficiency anemia frequency in girls and boys was 14.3% and 6.7% respectively, and 11.1% in total; the frequency of iron deficiency in girls and boys was 61.9% and 26.7% respectively, and 47.2% for all children. Serum ferritin levels were negatively correlated with age. As a result, frequency of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia in children applying for sports preparticipation examination in the chosen population is high, and serum ferritin levels indicating total bodily iron stores are decreasing with growth.