Iron deficiency in female adolescent athletes - prevalence, mechanisms and diagnostics
Year: 2014
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background: Iron deficiency (ID) is a very common condition and the most\ncommon nutritional deficiency in the world. ID mostly affects females, both\nathletes and non-athletes. Several underlying mechanisms are identified such as\ninsufficient dietary intake and losses by menses. In the athlete group different\nadditional mechanisms are discussed including the existence of “sports anaemia”\nand in recent years the effect of inflammation due to physical activity and its\neffect on iron status has been highlighted. The inflammatory response\ncomplicates the diagnostic process and alternative laboratory methods have been\nproposed to improve diagnostics.\nMethods: To study the prevalence of ID and iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) we\nused two different populations, first the female national soccer team (individuals\naged 19-28 years), secondly a population of adolescent female athletes as well as\na control group of adolescent non-athletes in a senior high school was studied. All\nparticipants filled in a questionnaire and blood samples comprising blood status,\niron status including soluble transferrin receptor and hepcidin, and inflammatory\nmarkers as well as Helicobacter pylori antibodies were collected. Different\nmethods for detection of ID were compared.\nResults: The initial study showed a prevalence of ID of 57% and IDA of 29%. In\nthe following study we found ID in 52% of the athletes and 48% of the nonathletes.\nIDA was seen in 8.6% of the athletes and 3.3% in the control group. The\nathletes had a significantly better diet and less loss by menses. Serum hepcidin\nwas significantly higher in the athlete group and serum ferritin was the test that\nidentified most individuals with ID.\nConclusion: Our studies revealed a high prevalence of ID in both the older elite\nsoccer players as well as in the adolescent young female athletes. The prevalence\nof IDA was higher in the elite soccer player. In the adolescent athlete group we\nfound a higher iron intake, as well as significantly less menstrual bleeding, but no\ndifference in occurrence of ID. Serum hepcidin was significantly higher in the\nathlete group compared to the non-athletes. Hepcidin down regulates ferroportin,\nwhich results in decreased dietary iron absorption. Thus this could be a\nmechanism behind sports related iron deficiency. For diagnosis, serum ferritin\nremains the most sensitive tool, but Helicobacter pylori antibodies and serum\nhepcidin may be used in cases of non-responders to iron treatment.
Author: Göran Sandström
Language: English
Subfield: Hematology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W194615489