Iron status in young Danes. Evaluation by serum ferritin and haemoglobin in a population survey of 634 individuals aged 14-23 yr.

Iron status was assessed by serum ferritin and haemoglobin in a population survey comprising 634 randomly selected urban Danes (312 males, 322 females) 14-23 yr old. At all ages, males had significantly higher serum ferritin and haemoglobin values than females. Males: median serum ferritin displayed a steady increase with age from 33 to 109 μg/l (r s =0.53, p<0.0001). The prevalence of absent mobilizable body iron stores (serum ferritin <13 μg/l) was 3.5% at 16-17 yr of age, gradually declining to 0% at 22-23 yr. None of the males had iron deficiency anaemia (serum ferritin <13 μg/l and haemoglobin <129 g/l). Females: median ferritin values displayed a slight increase with age from 28 to 39 μg/l (r s =0.19, p<0.001). The prevalence of absent iron stores was 12.5% at 16-17 yr of age, declining to 6.6% at 22-23 yr. The prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia (serum ferritin <13 μg/l and haemoglobin<121 g/l) was 4.7% at 16-17 yr of age, declining to 1.3% at 22-23 yr of age. Compared with surveys in other parts of Scandinavia, young Danes had slightly higher serum ferritin levels, and a lower prevalence of iron deficiency.