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39.Validity of Mentzer Index as a Screening Tool for Iron Deficiency Anemia in Children 6-12 Years of Age
Maria Javed1, Lubna Riaz1, Asfand Tariq1, Neelam Faryad1, Rubab Saleem1 and Shazia Rizwan2
ABSTRACT
Objective: To assess the validity of Mentzer index as a screening tool for iron deficiency anemia in children 6-12 years of age and to find an optimal cut off point for our population with best sensitivity and specificity.
Study Design: Cross-sectional study
Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Department of Pediatrics, Shaikh Zayed Hospital Lahore from September 2021 to February 2022.
Materials and Methods: A sample of 100 subjects was recruited through non-probability consecutive sampling according to selection criteria. The study was divided into a survey phase and a diagnostic phase. In the diagnostic phase, 100 children with hypochromic microcytic anemia were tested for serum Iron, TIBC and Mentzer index calculated. We analyzed the validity of Mentzer Index in comparison with serum Iron and TIBC.
Results: We studied 100 children, of which 57% were males and 43% were females. 65% patients were 6-9 years of age while 35% were 10-12 years old. The ROC curve showed 59.3% AUC for a Mentzer index cut off point 13 (≤13 shows IDA,>13 not IDA) sensitivity 78.4%, specificity 49.0% and accuracy 64%.
Conclusion: Mentzer index is not valid as a screening tool for hypochromic microcytic anemia in 6-12 years old children in comparison with serum Iron, TIBC. Further large-scale studies should be done to establish the validity.
Key Words: Mentzer index, iron deficiency anemia, serum iron, total iron binding capacity (TIBC)