Pediatrics international : official journal of the Japan Pediatric Society
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Reticulocyte hemoglobin equivalent (Ret-He), a direct measure of the hemoglobin (Hb) in the young red blood cells, has been reported to be useful in the diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) but may have some limitations in thalassemia trait. This study evaluated the differences in Ret-He in school-aged children, and assessed the diagnostic value of Ret-He in identifying IDA in a thalassemia-prevalent area. ⋯ Ret-He was lowest in subjects with IDA + thalassemia trait. A Ret-He cut-off ≤27 pg was suggestive of IDA in the present study.