Indicator of reticulocyte hemoglobin in diagnostics of fe-deficiency in children

Iron deficiency is one of the most widely spread types of microelementosis, especially in a growing organism. It is essential to diagnose iron deficiency at an early stage in order to start treatment timely. Diagnostics of iron deficiency can be complicated by concomitant diseases that distort biochemical parameters of iron metabolism, thus making them not informative enough. In this connection, hemoglobin count in reticulocytes (Ret-Hb) may be a useful indicator because it helps to diagnose true iron deficiency at earliest stages and does not depend on concomitant conditions, which is described in reference sources. During the research, Ret-Hb was detected in the structure of blood hematology test performed on the hematology analyzer XT-4000 (Japan) in 17 children aged 1-18 with absolute iron deficiency; three of these children had absolute iron deficiency manifested as latent deficiency, and 14 children had hypochromic microcytic anemia of mild or medium severity. The parameter was below the normal limit (the average count was 21.4 ± 4.5 pg), while the normal limit is 28 pg, according to the reference sources. After two weeks of treatment, Ret-Hb increased up to 24.7 pg; at the same time, other parameters of the blood hematology test also showed an upward trend. The results of our research have demonstrated that Ret-Hb may be regarded as an informative, economical and affordable diagnostic parameter that does not require collection of additional blood samples. Its dynamics during treatment should be investigated further.