Iron status and its relation to lung function in pediatric asthmatics: a cross-sectional study

Background Asthma and iron deficiency are common pediatric conditions. In addition, iron deficiency may affect spirometry results in asthmatic children. So, we aimed to assess the effect of ion status on lung function in childhood asthma. Results In this cross-sectional study, fifty asthmatic pediatric patients aged from 6 to 16 years presented to our institute during the period from (June 2018 to December 2018) were enrolled. Asthmatic patients were classified according to their complete blood count and iron profile into 2 groups: group 1, asthmatic children without iron deficiency anemia (IDA); and group 2, asthmatic children with IDA. All patients underwent full history taking, clinical examination, laboratory investigations, asthma control test, and pulmonary function tests (PFTs). The study showed that PFTs' parameters (forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) % of predicted, FEV1/forced vital capacity, and maximal mid expiratory flow (MMEF) 25-75% of predicted) were significantly lower among asthmatics with IDA (80.62 +/- 18.13, 78.36 +/- 11.22, 62.35 +/- 26.67) than among asthmatics without IDA (93.45 +/- 15.51, 87.68 +/- 10.81, 82.10 +/- 24.74), respectively (p =0.012, 0.006, 0.012). Also, poorly controlled asthma was significantly higher among asthmatics with IDA (p =0.001). In addition, there was a statistically significant positive correlation between forced spirometry parameters, hemoglobin, and ferritin level (p=0.012, 0.042). Moreover, there was a significant positive correlation between hemoglobin level and MMEF 25-75% of predicted (p=0.012). Conclusions Lower iron status negatively affects the lung function in asthmatic children with a more obstructive pattern among asthmatics with IDA.