DIAGNOSIS OF IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA IN THAI FEMALE ADOLESCENTS USING RETICULOCYTE HEMOGLOBIN EQUIVALENT

Background: Female adolescents aged 10 to 19 years are at remarkable risk of iron deficiency anemia (IDA). Reticulocyte hemoglobin equivalent (Ret-He) is an initial indicator incorporation in red blood cells (RBCs) and reflects the functional availability RBCs.
 Objective: This study aimed assess diagnostic performance Ret-He identify IDA determine a specific cut-off value for Thai female adolescents.
 Methods: Blood samples 191 adolescents, ages ranging from 12 18 years, were included. Patients underwent complete count, reticulocyte Ret-He, serum (SI), total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), transferrin saturation (TSAT). The correlation with other parameters evaluated.
 Results: Among patients, 89 102 defined as non-IDA groups. group was significantly lower than that (p<0.001). Strong positive correlations observed between RBC indices SI TSAT A ≤27.0 pg could distinguish sensitivity 91.2% specificity 100.0% (area under curve, AUC 0.99, 95% CI: 0.98-0.99; p<0.001).
 Conclusion: confirmed cost-effective parameter representing advantage over traditional markers. suitable distinguishing excellent among adolescents.