Evaluation of hematological parameters and iron level in obese children and adolescents

Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate hematological parameters and iron level in obese children and adolescents in different age groups. Materials and Methods: The study population consisted of hundred fifty-four obese children and adolescents aged between 3 and 18 years, who were being followed at the Cumhuriyet University Faculty of Medicine Hospital, Pediatric Endocrinology Clinic. As the control group, 158 healthy age and sex-matched children were also included. The children were divided into three groups according to age: Group 1 (3-7 years), Group 2 (7-12 years), and Group 3 (12-18 years). Hematological parameters, serum iron, total iron-binding capacity, and ferritin levels were compared, and their correlations with body mass index (BMI) were investigated. Results: The mean ages of the control (10.66±3.40; %55.80 girls) and case (10± 4.16; %62 girls) groups were similar. When compared serum iron, total iron-binding capacity, transferrin saturation and ferritin levels, in obese children aged between 12-18 years, serum iron and transferrin saturation was lower whereas ferritin level and total iron-binding capacity were higher (p<0.001). On the other hand, the ferritin level and total iron-binding capacity were higher in obese children aged between 7-12 years, while the other parameters were similar. When the correlations between BMI-SDS and hematological parameters were evaluated; positive correlations with white blood cell count (r = 0.46, p< 0.001), absolute neutrophil count (r = 0.40, p< 0.001) and ferritin levels (r = 0.36, P <0.001), while a negative correlation with transferrin saturation percentage (r = -0.22, p = 0.02) were found. Conclusion: Obese adolescents are prone to iron deficiency with low saturation index. Therefore, ferritin level may be misled for investigating iron deficiency status in obese adolescents. © 2019 Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University. All rights reserved.