Reticulocyte hemoglobin equivalent as a marker to assess iron deficiency: A large pediatric tertiary care hospital study.

INTRODUCTION: Detection of iron deficiency (ID) remains challenging. We aimed to evaluate the performance of reticulocyte hemoglobin equivalent (Ret-He) as a potential diagnostic marker to assess ID and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in a large pediatric cohort. METHODS: A total of 3158 patients (aged 15 days to 19 years with a median age of 8.5 years; 60.2% female) were retrospectively studied. Statistical analysis was performed (a) to evaluate relationship of Ret-He with other relevant complete blood count and iron panel parameters; (b) to compare the levels of Ret-He in ID and IDA groups to a control group; and (c) to assess sensitivity and specificity of Ret-He in ID, IDA, and anemia without ID groups. RESULTS: Ret-He values were significantly positively correlated to ferritin and transferrin saturation (TSAT). The median Ret-He was significantly lower in ID. A Ret-He cutoff of ≤30.0 pg distinguished cases of ID from the control group with a sensitivity of 90.2%, specificity of 59.5%, and area under curve (AUC) of 0.88. Ret-He showed better diagnostic performance in the IDA group and acceptable performance for ID without anemia. The sensitivity, specificity, and AUC were 90.1%, 80.9%, and 0.93 for IDA at cutoff value of ≤27.4 pg, and 80.8%, 51.1%, and 0.70 for ID without anemia at cutoff value of ≤30.8 pg, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our large pediatric tertiary care hospital study demonstrates that Ret-He is a reliable marker to help confirm IDA in pediatric population. However, further studies are needed for its use to capture the early stages of ID.

Changes in Test Volumes During Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): A Laboratory Stewardship Opportunity.

CONTEXT.­: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) changed the dynamics of health care delivery, shifting patient priorities and deferring care perceived as less urgent. Delayed or eliminated care may place patients at risk for adverse outcomes. OBJECTIVE.­: To identify opportunities for laboratory test stewardship to close potential gaps in care created by the COVID-19 pandemic. DESIGN.­: The study was a retrospective time series design examining laboratory services received before and during the COVID-19 pandemic at a large metropolitan health system serving women and children. RESULTS.­: Laboratory test volumes displayed 3 distinct patterns: (1) a decrease during state lockdown, followed by near-complete or complete recovery; (2) no change; and (3) a persistent decrease. Tests that diagnose or monitor chronic illness recovered only partially. For example, hemoglobin A1c initially declined 80% (from 2232 for April 2019 to 452 for April 2020), and there was a sustained 16% drop (28-day daily average 117 at August 30, 2019, to 98 at August 30, 2020) 4 months later. Blood lead dropped 39% (from 2158 for April 2019 to 1314 for April 2020) and remained 23% lower after 4 months. CONCLUSIONS.­: The pandemic has taken a toll on patients, practitioners, and health systems. Laboratory professionals have access to data that can provide insight into clinical practice and identify pandemic-related gaps in care. During the pandemic, the biggest patient threat is underuse, particularly among tests to manage chronic diseases and for traditionally underserved communities and people of color. A laboratory stewardship program, focused on peri-pandemic care, positions pathologists and other laboratory professionals as health care leaders with a commitment to appropriate, equitable, and efficient care.