Iron status in 1041 non-anaemic patients scheduled for elective reduction mammoplasty: prevalence of iron depletion, iron deficiency, and low iron stores

Editor—Iron is the most abundant element by mass on Earth and proportionally the fourth most abundant element in the Earth's crust, but iron deficiency is one of the most frequent dietary deficiencies in Europe and worldwide. Children and women of child-bearing age are the most affected. Non-anaemic iron deficiency impairs cellular and organ function,1 and recent studies even suggest increased mortality.2 Preoperative non-anaemic iron deficiency...