Abstract
Erythrocyte indices used to differentiate between iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) and thalassaemias have been studied mainly in countries with a high prevalence of IDA or beta-thalassaemias. This study was carried out in the United Arab Emirates where alpha-thalassaemias are prevalent. We studied the predictive value and Youden index of several indices in 85 children aged 6 months to 12 years with microcytosis and/or hypochromia, with or without anaemia (determined by serum measurement of iron or therapeutic iron trial). The best discriminatory indices for detecting IDA versus alpha-thalassaemias were a Green-King index > 65 (correctly identified 75.3% of children, Youden index 44.3) and red cell distribution width >14% (correctly identified 57.8%, Youden index 38.1).
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 966-971 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Eastern Mediterranean health journal = La revue de santé de la Méditerranée orientale = al-Majallah al-ihhīyah li-sharq al-mutawassi |
| Volume | 16 |
| Issue number | 9 |
| Publication status | Published - Sept 2010 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Medicine(all)