Abstract: Anemia is a global health problem, which affects not only developing countries, but also developed countries as well. Iron deficiency affects about 30% of the world's population, making it one of the most prevalent nutritional problems worldwide. A nutritional iron deficiency may cause high absorption of Mn. Overexposure to Mn can cause an overwhelming neurologic impairment that is clinically called “manganism". The aim of this study was to assess blood manganese concentration in children with iron deficiency anemia.
Patients and methods: This is a prospective cohort study carried out in department of Pediatrics, faculty of medicine, Zagazig University, in a 6 months duration, on 50 children with iron deficiency anemia. CBC, ferritin and TIBC are used for diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia. Assessment of manganese levels was done with division of patients into normal and high manganese level.
Result: most cases of iron deficiency anemia associated with increase blood manganese level.
Conclusion: Blood manganese concentration is elevated in children with iron deficiency anemia.