Study points to low iron in girls

Teenage girls are 10 times more likely to suffer from iron deficiency than boys, according to a new study.

The report, published in the New Zealand Medical Journal, also found that iron deficiency was up to three times more common in Maori, Pacific Island and Asian girls than those of European ancestry.

Iron deficiency can affect the immune system, lead to poor cognitive development, fatigue, reduced tolerance to work and decreased energy.

If the deficiency is prolonged, it can cause anaemia.

Researchers tested the iron levels of 1644 students from eight Auckland schools between May 1997 and September 1998.

They found 18.3 per cent of the teenage girls tested had an iron deficiency, compared with 1.5 per cent of boys.

About 11.5 per cent of females were found to be anaemic, compared with 1.4 per cent of males.

Girls were believed to be at higher risk of iron deficiency because of blood loss during menstruation.

Rates of iron deficiency in young Maori women were 25.6 per cent, compared with 20.6 per cent for Pacific Islanders, 15.4 per cent for Asian and 8.3 per cent for European.

One of the report's authors, paediatrician Dr Cameron Grant, said the reasons for the high rates among Maori, Pacific Island and Asian girls were unknown.

More research was needed into lifestyle factors which could be linked to iron deficiency, including dietary considerations like the amount of red meat consumed, frequent tea-drinking, increased calcium consumption and lower vitamin C intake.

Dr Grant said this kind of research would allow doctors to find ways to prevent iron deficiency.

The research also found that students who had low aerobic fitness levels were more likely to suffer from iron deficiency or anaemia than fit students.

Dr Grant said parents who were concerned their children could be suffering from a lack of iron should take them to the doctor. If they were found to be deficient, they would probably be prescribed iron tablets.