A pilot iron substitution programme in female blood donors with iron deficiency without anaemia.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether targeted iron substitution could prevent anemia and enhance donor return rates in premenopausal female blood donors with iron deficiency.
Results Summary
The study found that iron supplementation significantly increased serum ferritin levels (from 7.12 to 25.2 ng/ml) and resolved symptoms like fatigue, hair loss, and nail breakage. No cases of anemia occurred, and 60% of participants completed the program and donated blood again.
Population
Premenopausal female blood donors aged ≤50 with adequate hemoglobin levels but serum ferritin ≤10 ng/ml.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
16 weeks
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
iron supplementation | increase | serum ferritin | non-anaemic premenopausal female blood donors with iron deficiency | from a mean value of 7.12 to 25.2 ng/ml | increase | #1 |
iron supplementation | decrease | prostration | non-anaemic premenopausal female blood donors with iron deficiency | - | resolution | #2 |
iron supplementation | decrease | fatigue | non-anaemic premenopausal female blood donors with iron deficiency | - | resolution | #3 |
iron supplementation | decrease | sleep disturbances | non-anaemic premenopausal female blood donors with iron deficiency | - | resolution | #4 |
iron supplementation | decrease | tension in the neck | non-anaemic premenopausal female blood donors with iron deficiency | - | resolution | #5 |
iron supplementation | decrease | hair loss | non-anaemic premenopausal female blood donors with iron deficiency | - | resolution | #6 |
iron supplementation | decrease | nail breakage | non-anaemic premenopausal female blood donors with iron deficiency | - | resolution | #7 |
iron supplementation | decrease | anaemia | premenopausal female blood donors with iron deficiency | No case of anaemia occurred | prevents the development | #8 |
iron supplementation | increase | donation return | premenopausal female blood donors with iron deficiency | Sixty per cent of the women completed the programme and donated blood again | enhances | #9 |
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Blood donation can contribute to iron deficiency. The possibly resulting anaemia importantly affects donor return rate. The determination of serum ferritin levels revealed iron deficiency in many non-anaemic premenopausal female blood donors at our Institution. We started an iron substitution programme targeting this donor group to prevent anaemia and enhance donor retain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Women aged≤50 with haemoglobin levels adequate for donation and serum ferritin≤10 ng/ml were offered iron supplementation. Substitution lasted 16 weeks and the donation interval was extended. History collection including iron deficiency-related symptoms, whole blood count and serum ferritin determination was performed at baseline and after 2 and 6 months. Data were recorded prospectively and compared with those of 108 female controls with iron deficiency not receiving iron substitution (retrospective data). RESULTS: Of the 116 participating subjects, 60% completed the programme. Significant results were serum ferritin increase (from a mean value of 7.12 to 25.2 ng/ml), resolution of prostration, fatigue, sleep disturbances, tension in the neck, hair loss and nail breakage. No case of anaemia occurred. Sixty per cent of the women completed the programme and donated blood again. CONCLUSIONS: Targeted iron substitution prevents the development of anaemia and enhances donation return in premenopausal female blood donors with iron deficiency.