A Study on Iron Deficiency Anemia in Mentally Retarded Students in Tehran

To study iron deficiency anemia in mentally retarded students; 71 students in the age ange of 6-18, from 11 special education centers of Tehran were sampled randomly. The blood samples of these subjects were analyzed biochemically and hematologically via SI, TIBC, TS, Hb, HCT, MCV and Ferritin tests. Ferritin was regarded as an index of identifying iron deficiency; while ST, TIBG and TSD as indices of iron surplus. Furthermore; using the index of height for age and weight for height, the relationship between malnutrition and iron was examined. The results showed that 40% of the subjects were devoid of iron storage, and none of the subjects had iron surplus. Although not significant; the ferritin density in subjects with malnutrition was less than that of subjects without malnutrition. Iron storage in more than 65% of girls over 11- years - old was not desirable. Hence; examining ferritin density, as a screening test, can be regarded as a preventative measure in the incidence of anemia in these students.