Hierro libre, transferrina y ferritina séricas en desnutrición aguda grave

Severe acute malnutrition was associated with the presence of “free” serum iron both in children with marasmus and in those with edema. “Free” iron does not explain the presence of edema but, as with severe hypoalbuminemia, the concurrence of a low transferrin level and a high saturation index may contribute to the etiology of edema.