Determination of the Association Between Serum Ferritin and C-Reactive Protein in Children Presented with Iron Deficiency Anemia in Combined Military Hospital Pathology Department Multan

Abstract

Objective: To determine association between Serum ferritin and C-reactive protein (CRP) in children having iron scarcity anemia.

Study Design: Cross sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Pathology Department, Combined Military Hospital Multan Pakistan, from Jun to Dec 2018

Methodology: One hundred and thirty-eight (138) children were consecutively selected as per inclusion and exclusion criteria. Each sample of blood was collected from children for serum ferritin, Blood complete picture (Blood CP) which include hemoglobin level and red blood cell indices and serum sample for C-reactive protein (CRP). Sandwich chemilumine-scence immunoassay technique was used to analyze serum ferritin, Blood CP was analyzed on sysmex and C-reactive protein was analyzed immuneturbidi-metric method.

Result: A total of 138 children were included in our study. Mean age group of our population is 4.5 ± 0.65 years. Out of these 138, 67 (49%) were male children and 71 (51%) were female children. CRP was found negative in 50 (36%) and positive in 88 (64%) children. ANOVA and chi-square test showed association between CRP and anemia was statically significant.

Conclusion: Increased ferritin level, secondary to inflammation may mask an underlying iron inadequacy in children. CRP in children with normal or high ferritin can be helpful in diagnosing iron deficiency. Serum ferritin was found to be positively correlated with CRP in children.