Journal of Blood Disorders & Transfusion

Abstract

Ferritin and Serum Iron Levels among the ABO Blood Groups in Enugu, South Eastern Nigeria

Ifeanyichukwu Martin Ositadinma, Amilo Grace Ifeoma, Ngwu Amauche Martina, Obi Godwin Okorie and Okoye Augustine Ejike

Background: Iron deficiency anaemia is a common tropical disease. The understanding of the different blood groups ability to retain iron in their system can give an insight into their ability to handle the disease iron deficiency anaemia.

Objectives: The present study was designed to compare the level of ferritin, serum iron, total iron binding capacity (TIBC) and percentage transferrin saturation among the ABO blood groups in Enugu. Methods: The study was prospectively conducted in 237 apparently healthy Nigerian volunteers in Enugu. Data were evaluated with SPSS (version 17) software and comparisons between groups were made using paired t-test.

Result: The results obtained showed that subjects with blood group B had lower values for ferritin (ng/mL) (83.58 ± 57.74) compared with Group A and O with ferritin (ng/mL) values of 158.80 ± 24.87 and 116.75 ± 46.34 respectively. Serum iron (μmol/L) was also lowest in the group B (20.20 ± 8.07) compared with group A and O with serum iron (μmol/L) values of 34.40 ± 15.44 and 24.00 ± 6.75 respectively. No significant differences were observed in TIBC and percentage transferrin saturation among the different blood groups.

Conclusion: Blood group B subjects showed the lowest level of serum ferritin in this work.