STUDY OF CORRELATION BETWEEN FERRITIN, BMI AND CRP IN SAUDI YOUNG FEMALES WITH MILD MICROCYTIC ANEMIA IN AL-GHAD COLLEGE, JEDDAH, KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA.

The obesity is rapidly increasing health problem. Evidence suggested obesity-related inflammation alters iron metabolism. This study explored correlation between serum ferritin, body mass index (BMI) along with C-reactive protein (CRP), among young females with or without mild microcytic anemia. The study was conducted on 49 students and staff (17- 36 years old), AL-Ghad College, divided into: GI (n=30) with normal hemoglobin level (≥12 g/dl); GII (n19), mild microcytic anemia (Hb <12-10g/dl; MCV <80fl), further participants stratification, according to their BMI into: underweight (BMI <18.5 kg/m2); normal weight (BMI ranging 18.5-24.9); overweight and obese (BMI >25) subgroups. Serum ferritin and CRP Were performed. Results were statistically analyzed. The results showed that in GI, those with BMI > 25 kg/m2 had significantly higher CRP compared to normal and underweight subgroups (p<0.01), where GII (p<0.01), (p<0.05), respectively. In both groups, increased BMI, Was associated with statistically insignificant elevated ferritin, which is significantly correlated with CRP (p< 0.05), yet not correlated with BMI. However, BMI was significantly correlated with CRP, in both (p< 0.05), (p< 0.01) respectively.