Ac. Looker et al., PREVALENCE OF IRON-DEFICIENCY IN THE UNITED-STATES, JAMA, the journal of the American Medical Association, 277(12), 1997, pp. 973-976
Objective.-To determine the prevalence of iron deficiency and iron def
iciency anemia in the US population. Design.-Nationally representative
cross-sectional health examination survey that included venous blood
measurements of iron status. Main Outcome Measures.-Iron deficiency, d
efined as having an abnormal value for at least 2 of 3 laboratory test
s of iron status (erythrocyte protoporphyrin, transferrin saturation,
or serum ferritin); and iron deficiency anemia, defined as iron defici
ency plus low hemoglobin. Participants.-A total of 24 894 persons aged
1 year and older examined in the third National Health and Nutrition
Examination Survey (1988-1994). Results.-Nine percent of toddlers aged
1 to 2 years and 9% to 11% of adolescent girls and women of childbear
ing age were iron deficient; of these, iron deficiency anemia was foun
d in 3% and 2% to 5%, respectively. These prevalences correspond to ap
proximately 700 000 toddlers and 7.8 million women with iron deficienc
y; of these, approximately 240 000 toddlers and 3.3 million women have
iron deficiency anemia. Iron deficiency occurred in no more than 7% o
f older children or those older than 50 years, and in no more than 1%
of teenage boys and young men. Among women of childbearing age, iron d
eficiency was more likely in those who are minority, low income, and m
ultiparous. Conclusion.-Iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia are
still relatively common in toddlers, adolescent girls, and women of c
hildbearing age.