• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.58 no.1
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• pp.15-19
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• 2015

Purpose: Soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) is a truncated extracellular form of the membrane transferrin receptor produced by proteolysis. Concentrations of serum sTfR are related to iron status and erythropoiesis in the body. We investigated whether serum sTfR levels can aid in diagnosis and treatment of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in children. Methods: Ninety-eight patients with IDA were enrolled and were classified according to age at diagnosis. Group 1 comprised 78 children, aged 6-59 months, and group 2 comprised 20 adolescents, aged 12-16 years. Results: In group 1, patients' serum sTfR levels correlated negatively with mean corpuscular volume; hemoglobin (Hb), ferritin, and serum iron levels; and transferrin saturation and positively with total iron binding capacity (TIBC) and red cell distribution width. In group 2, patients' serum sTfR levels did not correlate with ferritin levels and TIBC, but had a significant relationship with other iron indices. Hb and serum sTfR levels had a significant inverse relationship in both groups; however, in group 1, there was no correlation between Hb and serum ferritin levels. In 30 patients of group 1, serum sTfR levels were significantly decreased with an increase in Hb levels after iron supplementation for 1 month. Conclusion: Serum sTfR levels significantly correlated with other diagnostic iron parameters of IDA and inversely correlated with an increase in Hb levels following iron supplementation. Therefore, serum sTfR levels can be a useful marker for the diagnosis and treatment of IDA in children.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.977-985
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• 2003

This study was done to evaluate the health and nutritional status of female college students in Seoul. The subjects were 63 healthy college students aged 20 to 29 years. Their body composition, dietary intakes, clinical blood indices were investigated. Their body composition was determined by means of a multifreqency bioelectrical impedance analysis. Their dietary intake was determined using 3-day record method and their nutrient intake was analyzed by Computer Aided Nutritional analysis program for professional (CAN-pro). Their hemoglobin, hematocrit, red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell (WBC) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) were determined by semi-automated microcell counter (F-520). Their plasma total cholesterol, TG, and HDL-cholesterol levels were measured using test kits. All data were statistically analyzed by SAS PC package program. Their average consumption of calcium, iron vitamin A, vitamin B2 and niacin were 63.3%, 65.0%, 85.2%, 89.2% and 95.2% of RDA, respectively. The overall mean values of the hematological indices in the female college students were within the normal range. However anemic subjects with hemoglobin (< 12 g/dl) and hematocrit (<36%) accounted for about 20% of the subjects. The mean levels of total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and TG were 188.4mg/dl, 69.9mg/dl and 67.4mg/dl, respectively. The percentages of the subjects with plasma total cholesterol level (> 200mg/dl) and LDL-cholesterol (＞130mg/dl) were about 41% and 30.4%, respectively. The data showed a significantly positive correlation between either body fat (%) or BMI and TG. However. there was a significantly negative correlation between either body fat (%) or BMI and HDL-cholesterol. These overall results suggest that it is necessary for college women to be educated regarding consuming more iron and vitamin C and less fat, in order to prevent iron deficiency anemia and/or cardiovascular diseases in later life.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.38 no.7
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• pp.533-543
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to determine the iron status of preschool children in Ulsan, Korea. The study was con-ducted using 95 children aged 3 to 6 years by investigating the anthropometric indices and assessing the dietary intakes and biochemical analysis. A questionnaire for dietary intakes using 24-hr recall method were carried out by the mothers of the 95 subjects. And also a study was conducted to assess hematological and biochemical status of iron and prevalence of iron deficiency. The average height and weight were 105.4 $\pm$ 7.0 cm, 18.7 $\pm$ 3.2 kg in boys, 103.8 $\pm$ 6.7 cm, 17.6 $\pm$ 2.7 kg in girls. These were lower than the body growth standard values of Korean pediatrics. There was not a significant difference in both between boys and girls. For the daily nutrient intake, energy was 1201.5 $\pm$ 280.9 kcal (79.3$\%$RDA), protein was 63.8 $\pm$ 28.2 g (219.4$\%$RDA), iron was 11.9 $\pm$ 4.5 mg (133.2$\%$RDA). The iron nutritional status by hematological assay found that Hct was 34.7 $\pm$ 2.0 ($\%$), Hb was 12.0 $\pm$ 0.8 g/dl, RBC was 4.3 $\pm$ 0.3 ($10^6/{\mu}l$), MCV was 80.5 $\pm$ 3.0 fL, MCH was 27.8 $\pm$ 1.1 pg and MCHC was 34.6 $\pm$ 0.6 g/dl. The biochemical measurement of serum iron was 75.6 $\pm$ 30.3 ${\mu}g$/dl, TIBC was 320.3 $\pm$ 34.1 ${\mu}g$/dl, serum ferritin was 30.0 $\pm$ 14.8 ${\mu}g$/dl, Zinc-Protophor-phyrin (ZPP) was 32.7 $\pm$ 8.0 ${\mu}g$/dl, and ZPP/Heme was 71.1 $\pm$ 19.5 ($\mu$mole/mol heme). The prevalence with Hct, Hb, TS and serum ferritin less than cut-off value was $8.4\%,\;9.5\%,\;12.6\%$ and $4.4\%$ respectively. But the prevalence of iron deficiency estimated with ZPP and ZPP/Heme criteria were $25.3\%$ and $27.4\%$, and were higher than in case of any other indices. The prevalence of iron deficiency anemia ((low Hb (< 11.0 g/dl) and low serum ferritin (< 10 ${\mu}g$/L) or low TS (3-4 yews: < $12\%$, 5-6 years: < $14\%$)) was found in only one 3 year old girl. The prevalence of iron deficiency except Hct and Hb was the highest in 3 year group, but the prevalence by Hct and Hb was the highest in 5 year group. Iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia do not seem to be a major public health problem in preschool children in Ulsan.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.203-209
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• 2011

Magnesium (Mg) plays an essential role in physiological and metabolic reactions. Recently, there has been an increased interest in the role of Mg deficiency, particularly the relationship between serum Mg value and inflammatory response. This study was designed to determine the relationship between serum Mg deficiency with inflammatory response, electrolytes and hematological alteration over long-term periods. Sixteen male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two groups: control (n=8), and Mg deficiency group (MgD group, n=8). Chow and normal water (tap water) were regularly provided to the control group and Mg-depleted chow and third distilled water were regularly provided for 60 days to the MgD group. Body weights, Serum Mg, $K^+$, inorganic phosphorus (IP) and total iron binding capacity (TIBC) levels in the MgD group were lower than those of the control group (P<0.05). Granulocyte fraction and MCV, RDW and PDW levels were higher, whereas lymphocyte fraction, erythrocyte, hemoglobin and MCHC levels were lower in the MgD group than in the control group (P<0.05). MCP-1 and TNF-${\alpha}$ levels in the MgD group were greater than those of the control group (P<0.05). In conclusion, the results of the present study suggest that Mg deficiency over a long-term period had not altered total leukocyte concentration in the blood, but had detrimental effects, including disturbances of electrolytes balance, disturbance of iron indices, potential anemia and elevation of pro-inflammatory cytokine. However, further studies should be performed to determine the relationship between serum Mg deficiency and major organ damage or alteration.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.35-40
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• 2004

This study was performed to evaluate the effect of iron supplementation on iron-deficiency-related indices, oxidative stress and antioxidative enzyme activity in female marathoners. Fourteen teenage female marathoners participated in the study. Subjects were divided into two groups: mild anemic and control, depending on their hemoglobin (Hb) level. The mild anemic group had significantly lower RBC count and hematocrit (Hct) and Hb levels compared to the control group. The mild anemic group (〈12.5g Hb/dI, n=7) was given iron supplements (60mg Fe/day) for four weeks during the summer training period. RBC count, Hct and Hb levels showed an increasing tendency through iron supplementation, and significant differences in these variables between the anemic and control groups disappeared in the post-period. There was no difference in plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) between the anemic and control groups. However, catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity were significantly higher in the anemic group. The significant difference in enzyme activity between the groups disappeared in the post-period. In addition, superoxide dismutase activity significantly decreased after iron supplementation. In conclusion, antioxidative enzyme activity was up-regulated in an anemic condition and mild iron supplementation decreased the antioxidant enzyme activity of female marathoners while improving their anemic condition.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.6 no.5
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• pp.726-733
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• 2001

This study was designed to investigate the effect of iron supplementation on the iron nutritional status and anemia of high school girls in Korea. One hundred thirty-five female students residing in Ulian metropolitan city in Korea diagnosed as having anemia or iron deficiency participated in this study. One or two tablets of iron medicine(80-160 mg Fe as ferrous sulfate/day) were administered to all participants for 3 months. Subjects were evaluated with a questionaire, measurement of hematological indices before and after iron supplementation. The average height and weight of respondents were 161.62 $\pm$ 4.68 cm and 53.87 $\pm$ 6.10 kg, respectively. Daily intakes of energy were 1597.8 $\pm$ 302.35 kcal(76.0% RDA). Iron intakes were 13.72 $\pm$ 4.17 mg (76.3% of RDA) and calcium intakes were 580.74 $\pm$ 177.21(72.5% of RDA) before iron supp]ementation. At baseline, 63% of all participants had depleted store(serum ferritin 12 ug/ml and/or transferrin saturation(TS) < 14%). After iron supplementation, this proportion declined to 19.3%. 55.6% of subjects had 12 ug/m1 of basal ferritin concentration before iron supplementation, and this proportion declined to 16.3% after iron supplementation. The basal hemoglobin(Hb) concentrations were 12.13 $\pm$ 1.01 g/dl and they increased to 12.79 $\pm$ 0.81 g/dl, which showed significant difference artier iron supplementation(p < 0.001). The basal ferritin and TS(%) were 13.24 $\pm$ 11.66 ng/ml, 18.42 $\pm$ 10.12% and they significantly increased to 32.95 $\pm$ 21.14 ng/ml, 33.53 $\pm$ 16.64%, respectively(p < 0.001). The basal total iron binding protein(TIBC) were 467.81 $\pm$ 97.24 ug/dl and they significantly decreased to 325.05 $\pm$ 48.89 ug/dl(p < 0.001) after iron supplementation. The number of tablets administered was positively correlated with serum iron(t = 0.553, p < 0.01), serum ferritin(t = 0.557, p < 0.01), TS(%)(t = 0.588, p < 0.01) and negatively correlated with TIBC(t= -0.409, p <0.01). The anemia symptoms such as ‘Shortening of breath when going upstairs(p < 0.01)’, ‘Tired out easily(p < 0.01)’, ‘Feeling blue(p < 0.001)’, ‘Decreased ability to concentrate(p < 0.01)’, and ‘Poor memory(p < 0.001)’improved significantly after iron supplementation. In this study, daily iron supplementations were efficacious in improving the iron status and anemic symptoms of female high school students. Regular check-ups and nutrition education for adolescents are necessary because of their vulnerability to iron deficiency. Further studies are needed to determine the minimum effective dose of iron and to examine the adverse effect of long-term iron supplementation.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.28-35
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• 2001

This study was designed to assess the iron nutritional status and anemia of high school students. 383 female subjects in Ulsan Metropolitan city were evaluated using a questionnaire, and a measurement of hematological indices. The average height and weight of the respondents were 161.24$\pm$4.90 cm and 53.12$\pm$6.37kg, repectively. The average BMI(body mass index) was 20.43$\pm$2.26 which was in the normal ramge. The average hemoglobin(Hb) concentration of the subjects was 13.14$\pm$0.97g/dl, and the average hematocrit(Hct) level was 40.84$\pm$17.40%. Transferrin saturation{TS(%)} was 20.86$\pm$10.32%, and the ferritin by Hct(＜36%), 27.2%by TS(＜14%),26.6% by ferritin(＜12 ng/ml). As for clinical symptoms, the greatest number of respondents reported that they experienced ‘decreased ability to concectrate’. Mean daily intakes of iron were 14.89$\pm$4.48 mg and heme iron intakes were 5.04$\pm$2.13 mg, which was 29.6% of total iron intake. The total iron binding capacity(TIBC) was negatively correlated with Hb concentration(r= -0.222, p＜0.01). Serum ferritin was positively correlated with Hb concentration(r= - 0.323, p＜0.05) and negatively correlated with TIBC(r= -0.367, p＜0.01). TS(%) was positively correlated with Hb concentration(r= 0.402, p＜0.01) and positively correlated with serum ferritin(r=0.413, p＜0.01). As for the correlation between blood biochemistry and clinical symptoms related to anemia, the Hb concentration was negatively correlated with ‘shortening of breath when going upstairs(p＞0.05)’ and ‘cold hands and feet’ significantly(r= -0.109, p＜0.05). The level of Mean corpuscular volume(MCV) was negatively correlated with ‘feel dizzy when standing up’,‘tired out easily’, and ‘decrease ability to concentrate’ significantly(p＜0.05). In particular, the level of Fe was negatively correlated with ‘shortening of breath when going upstairs’ and ‘feeling blue’ significantly(p＜0.01). These results suggest That the prevalence of iron deficiency of female high school students is very high, therefore guidelines for diet supports and nutrition education to improve their iron status should be provided.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.803-813
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• 2003

Literature suggests that iron deficiency anemia is prevalent among pregnant women all over the world. This study was designed to evaluate the iron status of pregnant women during the fist five months, with the intention of determining ways to reduce the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia among pregnant women in Korea. We collected dietary information and measured the biochemical status of iron in 171 pregnant women over 16 weeks of gestation (=16.7$\pm$2.34 week). Dietary intakes for 3 days were collected using the 24 hour recall and food record methods. The daily Fe intake was measured using the food frequency method. The Body Mass Index (BMI), calculated by using the pre-pregnancy weight and height, indicated that 31.3% of subjects were under-weight. We divided the subjects into normal and anemic group by using the serum ferritin levels. It appeared that the mean dietary intake of iron was 52.3% of the recommended level for pregnant women. The dietary quality evaluation showed that pregnant women ate only 58% of the recommended amount in the food groups of meat, fish, eggs, beans and milk and dairy products. The hematological indices showed that the mean Hemoglobin (Hb) was 11.9 g/dl, Hematocrit (Hct) was 35.1%, ferritin was 23.9 $ng/ml$, and transferrin was 297.3 ${\mu}g/dl$. The dietary intake of iron was significantly lower and the vitamin C intake was significantly higher in the anemic group. The pre-pregnancy BMI was significantly lower in the anemic group. Variables affecting iron intake were the Fe intake frequency index and the food group score. The Fe index showed significantly positive correlation with the pre-pregnancy food intake and the food group score. Hb showed a significantly positive correlation with the pre-pregnancy food intake. We concluded that strategies to improve iron status be implemented in the pre-pregnant stage so as to reduce the prevalence of iron deficiency and that we should stress on the importance of an adequate diet as well as the maintenance of a heathy weight.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.267-274
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• 1997

The purpose of this study was to determine the proportion of 5th grade school children with iron depletion or iron depleted anemia with simultaneously assessing their general nutritional status. The anthropometric measurements, nutrient intake, and biochemical status of iron were measured for 261 school children from 5th grade residing in low income area of Pucheon. The mean height and weight of male were 138.7cm and 33.6kg respectively and were significantly lower than those of female. Mean fat percent, triceps skinfolds thickness and arm circumference were 21.4$\%$, 13.7mm and 22.2cm for female and were significantly higher than 19.1$\%$, 11.4mm, 21.4cm of male respectively. The intake on vitamin A and calcium were 46.4$\%$ and 47.7$\%$ of RDA for male and 36.6$\%$ and 44.9$\%$ for male respectively. The energy intake, carbohydrate, thiamin, niacin, ascorbic acid of male were significantly higher than those of female respectively. The mean daily intake of iron were 7.5mg for male and 7.3mg for female and were not significantly different. The mean biochemical indices of iron nutritional status were not significantly different between male and female expect free erythrocyte protoporphyrin(FEP) and FEP : hemoglobin ratio. The proportion of male assessed by serum iron(<70$\mu\textrm{g}$/㎗), Hb($\%$), FEP(<70$\mu\textrm{g}$/㎗RBC) were 25.4$\%$, 8.4$\%$. 0.8$\%$, 1.8$\%$ respectively and 23.2$\%$, 8.4$\%$, 3.4$\%$, 1.0$\%$ for female respectively.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.52-56
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• 2007

This research analyzed the iron status, clinical symptoms and physical characteristics between normal and anemic group of middle school girls in the Ulsan metropolitan area. It was carried out with 237 subjects (normal 190, anemic subject 47). They were evaluated with a questionnaire and measurement of hematological indices. BMI $(kg/m^2)$ of the two groups were $19.54{\pm}2.44$ (normal girls) and $19.22{\pm}2.27$ (anemic girls). The hemoglobin concentration of the anemic girls were $10.84{\pm}1.17g/dl$ and the serum iron of the anemic girls represent $35.15{\pm}27.47{\mu}g/100ml$. The TIBC (Total Iron Binding Capacity) of the anemic girls showed significantly high to $449.30{\pm}64.87{\mu}g/100ml$. The serum ferritin of the anemic girls was $20.53{\pm}42.29{\mu}g\ell$, it represented significantly low. The symptom of 'pale face' of the anemic girls were higher than the normal girls. Hemoglobin and serum iron were negatively correlated with 'pale face'. The TIBC was negatively correlated with 'Get a cold easily'. The duration and amount of menstruation were correlated with iron status. This research is to be utilized as basic data for dietary support and nutritional education to improve their iron status.