Correlation of red cell indices and hemoglobin concentration with serum ferritin among iron deficiency anemia patients

Introduction and Aim: Iron deficiency anemia is the commonest cause of anemia in developing country like India in all age groups. It is most easy to prevent as well as to treat. Its diagnosis and treatment are based on serum ferritin levels in developed countries which is not possible in India at primary healthcare setting. This study was undertaken to explore if red cell indices could replace serum ferritin in detecting iron deficiency. Materials and Methods: Study of association of red cell indices like Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), Mean Corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), Mean Corpuscular hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC), Red cell Distribution Width (RDW) and Hemoglobin concentration (Hb%) with iron deficiency anemia and the correlation of these Red cell indices and Hb% with serum ferritin was done in 220 anemia patients of all age groups with Hb% <12g/dL. Results: Descriptive data showed skewed distribution of serum ferritin. Statistically significant reduction in all red cell indices values among iron deficiency anemia patients and statistically significant correlation of all red cell indices values except red cell distribution width with serum ferritin was found. Conclusion: Unlike developed countries we can use simple estimation of hemoglobin concentration along with red cell indices for diagnosing iron deficiency anemia in primary healthcare setting of India.