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Association of blood donation with iron deficiency among adolescent and adult females in the United States: a nationally representative study
Author(s) -
Patel Eshan U.,
White Jodie L.,
Bloch Evan M.,
Grabowski Mary K.,
Gehrie Eric A.,
Lokhandwala Parvez M.,
Brunker Patricia A. R.,
Goel Ruchika,
Shaz Beth H.,
Ness Paul M.,
Tobian Aaron A. R.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
transfusion
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.045
H-Index - 132
eISSN - 1537-2995
pISSN - 0041-1132
DOI - 10.1111/trf.15179
Subject(s) - medicine , confidence interval , national health and nutrition examination survey , poisson regression , anemia , hemoglobin , young adult , blood donor , iron deficiency , iron deficiency anemia , demography , pediatrics , population , immunology , environmental health , sociology
BACKGROUND Blood donation results in a loss of iron stores, which is particularly concerning for young female blood donors. This study examines the association of blood donation and iron deficiency among adolescent and adult females in the United States. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS A cross‐sectional analysis was performed using data from the 1999–2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Females who reported their blood donation history in the preceding year and had serum ferritin (SF) measurements were included. Analyses were weighted and stratified by adolescents (16–19 years; n = 2419) and adults (20–49 years; n = 7228). Adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) were estimated by multivariable Poisson regression. Standard errors were estimated by Taylor series linearization. RESULTS Geometric mean SF levels (ng/mL) were lower in blood donors compared to nondonors among adolescents (21.2 vs. 31.4; p < 0.001) and among adults (26.2 vs. 43.7; p < 0.001). The prevalence of absent iron stores (SF < 12 ng/mL) was higher in blood donors compared to nondonors among adolescents (22.6% vs. 12.2%; aPR = 2.03 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.45–2.85]) and among adults (18.3% vs. 9.8%; aPR = 2.06 [95% CI = 1.48–2.88]). Additionally, the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia (SF < 26 ng/mL and hemoglobin < 12.0 g/dL) was also higher in blood donors compared to nondonors among adolescents (9.5% vs. 6.1%; aPR = 2.10 [95% CI = 1.13–3.90]) and among adults (7.9% vs. 6.1%; aPR = 1.74 [95% CI = 1.06–2.85]). Similar results were observed in a sensitivity analysis restricted to adolescents aged 16 to 18 years. CONCLUSIONS Blood donation is associated with iron deficiency among adolescent and adult females in the United States. These national data call for further development and implementation of blood donation practices aimed toward mitigating iron deficiency.