Haematological Status of the Central American Population: Prevalence of Individuals with Haemoglobin Levels below ‘Normal’

Abstract

Summary. A statistically representative sample of 6009 subjects in Central America has been studied to determine the prevalence of individuals with haemoglobin values carrying different risks of belonging to a population with deficient haemoglobin concentration. Haemoglobin values associated with 20% and 75% chance of belonging to the latter population have been determined, for various altitude‐age‐sex categories by studying a highly selected, biochemically normal population, and by determining the mean and standard deviation of the normally distributed segment of the total distribution for each altitude‐age‐sex category. The prevalence of individuals with greater than 20% chance of belonging to a population with subnormal haemoglobin values is, on average, 27.6% (range 19.3‐54.7) for altitudes between 0 and 749 m above sea level, 25.5% (range 6.2‐35.0) for altitudes between 750 and 1499 m above sea level, and 24.9% (range 18.6‐30.7) for altitudes between 1500 and 2800 m above sea level. The prevalence of individuals with more than a 75% chance of belonging to a population with subnormal haemoglobin for the same three altitudes above sea level is, on average, 19.7%, 12.6% and 11.7%, respectively. Their corresponding ranges are 12.1‐38.7, 3.0‐17.5 and 7.4‐16.7. This study shows that the prevalence of anaemia (haemoglobin concentration below the level which carries a risk greater than 75% of belonging to a population with subnormal haemoglobin) is very high in Central America. Particularly vulnerable groups are 1–4‐yr‐old children, and 13–16‐yr‐old females at altitudes between 0 and 750 m, and both males and females of 17 yr and older. The adult male population does not differ from the adult female population as far as the prevalence of anaemia is concerned. The reasons for these findings are discussed, particularly with regard to iron and folate intakes, hookworm infection and iron sweat loss.

Changes in haemoglobin and haematocrit values in children aged 6 to 13 1/2 years in Mexico city

“…in a similar Central American population living at 1500-2800 m above sea level, the Hb, Ht and MCHC values compare closely to those reported here (Viteri and Guzm~in, 1972).…”

Haemoglobin Level in Children of a Northern District of Bangladesh

“…However there is significant age specific variation in mean haemoglobin.Significant difference was observed in mean haemoglobin among different age groups(P=0.01). This was noted in other studies also 11,12,13,14 .Age difference and age group variation is well documented by WHO and other studies 1,15 . Other factors influencing mean haemoglobin were family income, occupation of the parent, education of the parents and nutrition status.…”

“…Mean MCHC was positively correlated with haemoglobin level(r = 0.198, P = 0.001). Serum iron was found to be positively correlated with level of haemoglobin in this study(r = 0.242, P = 0.000) The mean value was 59.72±32.94µgm/dl which was also within normal limit(22 -184 µgm/dl) 11 . However iron depletion state is better reflected by serum ferritin level.…”

Haematological response to haem iron or ferrous sulphate mixed with refried black beans in moderately anaemic Guatemalan pre-school children

“…via menstrual bleeding in women of childbearing age or intestinal bleeding for those living in areas endemic for hookworm, whipworm or amoeba; and (2) the poor bioavailability of the nutrient. IDA is endemic to Guatemala 5 . In school-aged children, the rate of anaemia varies between 8 and 10% 6,7 .…”