Which lab findings are indicative of iron deficiency anemia in children?

The lab findings indicative of iron deficiency anemia in children typically include low hemoglobin, low ferritin, and high total iron-binding capacity (TIBC).

In the case of iron deficiency anemia, the body does not have enough iron to produce hemoglobin, which leads to lower hemoglobin levels. Ferritin is a protein that stores iron; therefore, low ferritin levels indicate depleted iron stores in the body. As the body detects low iron availability, it increases the production of transferrin, the protein responsible for transporting iron, leading to a high TIBC.

These specific combinations of results help to confirm iron deficiency anemia and differentiate it from other types of anemia. The low hemoglobin reflects the reduced oxygen-carrying capacity due to insufficient red blood cells, low ferritin confirms depleted iron stores, and the high TIBC signals that the body is attempting to compensate for the lack of available iron by increasing transport proteins.