Iron deficiency in female blood donors poses a significant challenge for blood banks, primarily due to the prevalence of decreased hematocrit percentage and hemoglobin levels, which are the predominant causes of rejection among blood donors.

The objective of this study was to analyze the prevalence of iron deficiency among repeat donors treated by the Hematology and Hemotherapy Foundation of Amazonas (HEMOAM).

This study was conducted through a descriptive analysis of female blood donors at the Amazonas Hematology and Hemotherapy Hospital Foundation (HEMOAM). All participants were over 18 years of age and eligible to donate according to clinical and laboratory screening criteria. A comprehensive array of epidemiological and clinical data was meticulously collected through in-depth interviews conducted prior to the donation process. Concurrently, blood samples were obtained for rigorous hematologic analysis and serum iron profile assessment.

A total of 408 female donors participated in the study, with 240 (58.2%) of them donating blood at least twice in the last 24 months. Of these, 70 (29.2%) had a baseline serum ferritin level below 30 ng/mL. In consideration of the impact of blood donation and the recovery time of iron stores, donors were grouped according to the frequency of donation in the previous 24 months. The donors were classified into the following categories: first-time donors, reactivated donors (those who had donated at some point in their lives), sporadic donors (those who had donated fewer than three times in the previous 12 months), and frequent donors. As anticipated, the prevalence of iron deficiency reached its zenith among individuals who had donated a minimum of three times within the past 24 months (p < 0.001), affecting 75% of those who had donated a minimum of six times.

A multitude of studies conducted in the state of Amazonas have demonstrated a high prevalence of anemia and iron deficiency among blood donors at HEMOAM. This phenomenon is directly associated with the number of donations. The impact of donation on iron stores is attributable to the mobilization of substantial quantities of iron from stores to ensure sufficient erythropoiesis. A substantial iron deficiency, amounting to 250 mg, necessitates a restoration period that extends beyond two months. Despite the presence of adequate nutrition, studies demonstrate that this is insufficient. In cases of high donation frequency without adequate intake, the result is iron deficiency anemia. The present study corroborates the findings of previous studies on the direct impact of donation on iron stores. In fact, the present study even demonstrates the presence of iron deficiency in first-time donors. Iron deficiency persists as a predominant risk for donors, underscoring the necessity for the implementation of policies and strategies aimed at mitigating iron deficiency among donors. These measures are instrumental in enhancing the safety of the blood donation process for donors.