Prevalence of Iron Deficiency in the United States

TLDR

The study aimed to determine the prevalence of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia in the United States. Using a nationally representative cross‑sectional design (NHANES III, 1988‑1994), 24,894 participants aged 1 year and older had venous blood drawn to assess iron status via erythrocyte protoporphyrin, transferrin saturation, serum ferritin, and hemoglobin. Iron deficiency was found in 9% of toddlers and 9–11% of adolescent girls and women of childbearing age, with anemia in 3% of toddlers and 2–5% of women, amounting to approximately 700,000 toddlers and 7.8 million women deficient and 240,000 toddlers and 3.3 million women anemic; prevalence was ≤7% in older children or adults over 50 and ≤1% in teenage boys and young men.

Abstract

<h3>Objective.</h3> —To determine the prevalence of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia in the US population. <h3>Design.</h3> —Nationally representative cross-sectional health examination survey that included venous blood measurements of iron status. <h3>Main Outcome Measures.</h3> —lron deficiency, defined as having an abnormal value for at least 2 of 3 laboratory tests of iron status (erythrocyte protoporphyrin, transferrin saturation, or serum ferritin); and iron deficiency anemia, defined as iron deficiency plus low hemoglobin. <h3>Participants.</h3> —A total of 24 894 persons aged 1 year and older examined in the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988-1994). <h3>Results.</h3> —Nine percent of toddlers aged 1 to 2 years and 9% to 11% of adolescent girls and women of childbearing age were iron deficient; of these, iron deficiency anemia was found in 3% and 2% to 5%, respectively. These prevalences correspond to approximately 700000 toddlers and 7.8 million women with iron deficiency; of these, approximately 240 000 toddlers and 3.3 million women have iron deficiency anemia. Iron deficiency occurred in no more than 7% of 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 deficiency was more likely in those who are minority, low income, and multiparous. <h3>Conclusion.</h3> —lron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia are still relatively common in toddlers, adolescent girls, and women of childbearing age.