Association between weather seasonality and blood parameters in riverine populations of the Brazilian Amazon

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the seasonality of blood parameters related to iron homeostasis, inflammation, and allergy in two riverine populations from the Brazilian Amazon. Methods: This was a cross‐sectional study of 120 children and adolescents of school age, living in riverine communities of Porto Velho, Rondonia, Brazil, describing the hematocrit, hemoglobin, ferritin, serum iron, total white blood cell count, lymphocytes, eosinophils, C‐reactive protein, and immunoglobulin E levels in the dry and rainy seasons. The chi‐squared test and the prevalence ratio were used for the comparison of proportions and mean analysis using paired Student's t‐test. Results: Hemoglobin (13.3 g/dL) and hematocrit (40.9%) showed higher average values in the dry season. Anemia prevalence was approximately 4% and 12% in the dry and rainy seasons, respectively. Serum iron was lower in the dry season, with a mean of 68.7 mcg/dL. The prevalence of iron deficiency was 25.8% in the dry season and 9.2% in the rainy season. Serum ferritin did not show abnormal values in both seasons; however, the mean values were higher in the dry season (48.5 ng/mL). The parameters of eosinophils, lymphocytes, global leukocyte count, C‐reactive protein and immunoglobulin E showed no seasonal differences. C‐reactive protein and immunoglobulin E showed abnormal values in approximately 7% and 60% of the examinations, respectively. Conclusion: Hematological parameters of the red cell series and blood iron homeostasis had seasonal variation, which coincided with the dry season in the region, in which an increase in atmospheric pollutants derived from fires is observed.

Keywords

• Iron homeostasis
• Biomarkers
• Climate change