Serum ferritin in Danish children and adolescents

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Abstract
Serum ferritin concentrations were measured in 909 urban Danish schoolchildren (451 boys, 458 girls) 6-17 yr old. The children were randomly selected and served as an urban reference population. Geometric mean ferritin values were identical in boys and girls 6 to 15 yr old, while 16- and 17-yr-old boys had higher values than girls (P < 0.01). There was a slight rise in mean ferritin values from 6-11 yr, followed by a temporary fall during the subsequent adolescent growth period. Geometric mean ferritin values and significant differences were as follows: Children 6-11 yr old (n = 335), 29 .mu.g/l and adolescents 12-15 yr old (n = 417), 26 .mu.g/l (P < 0.01): Adolescent boys 16-17 yr old (n = 76), 32 .mu.g/l and adolescent girls same age (n = 81) 24 .mu.g/l (P < 0.01). The frequencies of low ferritin values < 10 .mu.g/l (i.e. exhausted Fe stores) were: Children 6-11 yr old, 2.1%: Adolescents 12-15 yr old, 5.0%: Adolescent boys 16-17 yr old, 0.0%: Adolescent girls 16-17 yr old, 11.1%. High ferritin values > 60 .mu.g/l (i.e. large Fe reserves) were observed in 6.2% of boys and 6.9% of girls.