A COMPARISON OF TRANSFERRIN RECEPTOR WITH OTHER IRON ASSESSMENT MEASURES IN AN UPPER-INCOME POST-PARTUM JAMAICAN SAMPLE

Iron (Fe) deficiency is the most prevalent nutritional deficiency in t he world. During their reproductive years, women are especially vulner able. However, methods of assessing Fe deficiency in countries where b oth Fe deficiency and infection frequently coexist, are not optimal. F requently used methods do not differentiate between anemia due to Fe d eficiency or that due to inflammation. This study compared several Fe assessment methods (Plasma ferritin, serum transferrin receptor (s-TfR ), and erythrocyte protoporphyrin) in a six week, post-partum, upper i ncome sample. A variety of socio-economic, hematological, and dietary information was collected from 73 Jamaican women. S-TfR values were co mpared with the other Fe assessment indices using sensitivity/specific ity/predictive value analysis. Results indicated that anemia (Hb < 12. 0 g/dl) was present in 37.5% of the sample and that Fe deficient eryth ropoiesis existed in between 7 and 13% depending upon assessment metho d. S-TfR was highly specific, but had a low sensitivity and positive p redictive value. Use of s-TfR and the high percent of anemia are discu ssed.