Abstract: Objective:To study the application of serum ferritin detection in children with nutritional iron deficiency anemia.
Methods:From Jan.2013 to Jan.2016, a total of 2 896 children were found to be with iron deficiency anemia on routine physical examination in Hunan Children's Hospital. These children were divided into 3 groups according to their age: 6 months to 1 year old in group A(1 092 children),1 to two years old in group B(980 children),2 to 3 years old in group C(824 children).Detect serum level of ferritin in these children. The cases of iron decrease, iron deficiency anemia and iron deficiency were also detected.
Results:The serum level of ferritin in group A and group B was significantly lower than group C, there being statistical difference(P<0.01),but there was no statistical difference between group A and group B(P>0.05). There were 457 cases(15.8%) of iron decrease, 437 cases(15.1%) of iron deficiency anemia and 801 cases(27.7%) of iron deficiency. The detection rate of iron decrease in group A and B was significantly higher than in group C, and there was statistical difference(P<0.05), but there was no difference between group A and group B(P>0.05).With the child growing up, the detection rate of iron deficiency anemia and iron deficiency decreased gradually, and comparing any two groups among the 3 groups, there was statistical difference(P<0.05).
Conclusion：Iron deficiency is quite common in children between 6 months and 3 years old. In order to enhance parents' understanding about the early prevention of iron decrease and iron deficiency anemia and reduce the occurrence of anemia, the serum ferritin detection should be included in the routine physical examinations, and thus the parents can be taught to add solid food in time and to give balanced diet, achieving the aim of preventing nutritional iron deficiency anemia.

Key words: Iron deficiency anemia, Serum ferritin, Children