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

The link between measures of infection and serum ferritin levels suggests low-income preschool children with low iron stores are not identified by the ≤15 ng/mL (≤33.7 pmol/L) criterion. The link between zinc and infection suggests possible overestimations of zinc deficiency in low-income children. Thus, in this population, the presence of infection (as indicated by CRP levels and leukocyte counts) should be determined to assess micronutrient status.