HEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS AND FERRITIN LEVEL IN CHILDREN WITH VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY

Background & Aim:

Iron and vitamin D are considered as two essential micronutrients for growth and development of the children. Vitamin D and iron deficiencies in children are associated with many adverse effects and significant morbidity. This study aimed to investigate of hematological parameters and serum ferritin level in children with vitamin D deficiency.

Materials & Methods:

The present study was a case-control one that was conducted on 100 children aged 2 to 18 in two groups (50 each) of with vitamin D deficiency and control group.
Complete blood count (CBC) and serum ferritin level were measured using Sysmex KX-21N cell counter and ELISA method in both groups. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 20 and the results obtained in the two groups were compared. P values<0.05 were considered statistically significant.

The mean age of children in the group with vitamin D deficiency was 5.6±4.1 and in the control group was 4.9±3.3 years (P=0.34). In the vitamin D deficiency group, 66% were boys but in the control group, 54% were boys (P=0.22). The mean serum level of hemoglobin (P=0.22) and the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) (P=0.76) as well as the mean red blood cell count (P=0.25) were not significantly different between the two groups. However, the mean serum ferritin level in the group with vitamin D deficiency was significantly lower than the control group (P=0.03).

The results of the present study showed that the serum level of ferritin in the group with vitamin D deficiency is lower than the control group, and the level of vitamin D has a significant positive correlation with the level of ferritin in these children. Therefore, it is suggested to evaluate anemia and ferritin in the children with vitamin D deficiency. Also, providing sufficient amount of vitamin D may play an important role in preventing anemia in the children.