ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Detection and prevention of iron deficiency in donors of blood (blood components)
Russian Research Institute of Hematology and Transfusiology of the Federal Medico-Biological Agency of Russia, St. Petersburg
Correspondence should be addressed: Galina V. Grishina
2nd Sovetskaya, 16, St. Petersburg, 191024, Russia, ur.liam@903102reger
Funding: the work was carried out as part of the research effort under the State Assignment.
Acknowledgements: the authors express gratitude to the staff of the Center for Laboratory Research of the Clinic of the Russian Research Institute of Hematology and Transfusiology of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency of Russia for laboratory support.
Author contribution: Concept and Design: all authors.
Compliance with ethical standards: the study was approved by the ethics committee of the Russian Research Institute of Hematology and Transfusiology of the Federal Medico-Biological Agency of Russia (Minutes № 61 of December 22, 2022); all study participants-donors signed a voluntary informed consent for blood sampling and further analysis.
The problem of iron deficiency among donors is relevant and directly affects the provision of hemocomponents to the blood service. Donors, being a risk group for the development of iron deficiency, are examined before donation, including a study of hemoglobin levels. However, there is no information about the state of iron stores, when depleted, iron deficiency anemia develops. In turn, anemia is a contraindication to donation and, therefore, leads to medical exemptions from donation. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the main indicators of iron metabolism in donors of blood and (or) blood components at risk of developing latent iron deficiency. The examination of 174 donors included a hemogram, assessment of the level of hemoglobin, serum ferritin (SF), transferrin, and soluble transferrin receptors. When assessing the intensity of changes in reserve and transport iron indicators, 228 deviations from the reference range were analyzed. The criterion for the risk of developing iron deficiency was hemoglobin values at the lower limit of normal (130–135 g/l in men and 120–125 g/l in women) and the threshold level of ferritin (30 μg/l in male donors and 20 μg/l in women). The risk group included 58.3% of young donors — women who donate blood 1–2 times during the year (p < 0.01) and 66.6% (p < 0.01) of donors — men who donate blood regularly throughout 4 and > years. The average ferritin level in male donors was 27.37 μg/l (p < 0.02) and lower than the reference values. It is concluded that it is advisable to assess the indicators of iron metabolism in donors in the case of borderline hemoglobin levels, in women of reproductive age after 2 blood donations and in men with the number of donations ≥ 10. To replenish the iron depot in the body, when iron deficiency is detected in donors, it is necessary to consider the issue of prevention.