Investigation of hemorheological parameters at the diagnosis and follow up of children with iron deficiency anemia and mixed anemia

OBJECTIVE:We aimed to investigate the effects of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and vitamin B12 deficiency coexisting with IDA which is called as mixed anemia (MA) on hemorheological parameters, to compare them with each other and healthy controls, and to assess the changes in hemorheological parameters after treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 32 IDA patients (mean age:6.3±5.3 years), 30 MA patients (mean age:7.2±5.4 years), and 31 healthy controls (mean age:7.1±5.2 years) were enrolled. Erythrocyte deformability and aggregation were determined by an ectacytometer, plasma and whole blood viscosities by a cone-plate rotational viscometer. Differences between IDA and MA, and healthy controls were compared. Hemorheological parameters were repeated in the patient groups after treatment and compared with the initial results. RESULTS: In both of the patient groups, erythrocyte deformability, whole blood and plasma viscosities were found to be significantly decreased before treatment, compared with the controls. After treatment these parameters were found to be increased significantly. There were no significant differences in these parameters between the IDA and MA group. Additionally, no statistically significant alteration was found in erythrocyte aggregation measurements of both patient groups. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that IDA andMAhave similar effects on hemorheological parameters. When vitamin B12 deficiency accompanies IDA which is called as MA, no further alterations occur in hemorheological parameters. The adequate treatment of these anemias not only corrects the hematological parameters, but also by helping to normalize the hemorheological parameters, may contribute to the regulation of microvascular perfusion. © 2015 - IOS Press and the authors.