Potential for Misclassification of Micronutrient Status in Children Participating in a Head Start Program

To evaluate relations among measures of iron and zinc status, C-reactive protein (CRP), and leukocytes in low-income children participating in the Head Start program.Cross-sectional correlational study with samples collected at Head Start centers in May 2003.Forty-seven children (aged 3 to 5 years) attending Head Start centers in three rural communities.Zinc, ferritin, CRP, and complete blood count were analyzed in nonfasting blood samples.Correlations were computed among leukocyte levels, CRP levels, and measures of micronutrient status. Children having two abnormal measures (ie, leukocytes and CRP) were compared by univariate analysis of variance with children having zero or one abnormal measure.Most (72%) of the children had elevated CRP levels. Four percent were anemic (hemoglobin<11.0 g/dL [<110 g/L]); 11% had low iron stores (serum ferritin更多