Assessment of Serum Ferritin and Iron Stores in Young Female Athletes at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja

This study assesses serum ferritin levels and iron stores in young female athletes training at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, North Central Nigeria, examining the risk of iron depletion in this high-demand physical activity population. Iron deficiency without overt anaemia (pre-latent and latent iron deficiency) is prevalent among female athletes due to increased iron losses from sweating, gastrointestinal bleeding, haemolysis, and inadequate dietary intake, impairing physical performance before anaemia develops. A cross-sectional study recruited 80 female athletes aged 16 to 28 years representing track, field, and team sports, alongside 40 age-matched non-athlete female controls. Serum ferritin, haemoglobin, serum iron, and total iron binding capacity were measured. Dietary iron intake was estimated using a validated 24-hour dietary recall. Results showed that 45 percent of athletes had ferritin below 20 micrograms per litre, indicating iron depletion despite normal haemoglobin in most cases. Only 14 percent of depleted athletes were anaemic. Ferritin levels were significantly lower in endurance athletes than in strength or team sport athletes. Dietary iron intake was below recommended levels in 73 percent of athletes. The study recommends routine ferritin screening in all female athletes, iron supplementation guidelines for depleted non-anaemic athletes, and nutritional counselling on haem iron dietary sources through the sports medicine services at Abuja Stadium. Keywords: serum ferritin, iron depletion, female athletes, sports haematology, Abuja.