Differences of Reticulocyte Count Before and After Iron-Tablets Administration

Abstract

Anemia is a condition where the number of red blood cells in the body is not fulfilled. Iron deficiency anemia in young women has  to be taken seriously because it can cause the development disturbance. Reticulocyte is a parameter commonly used to  determine the success of therapy in iron deficiency anemia, which showed the body’s physiologic response by enhancing the red blood cells production. This study aimed to find out the differences of reticulocyte count before and after administration of iron tablets on female students at Setia Budi University Surakarta. Using Randomized Control Trial, this study separated the subject randomly into control group and treatment group which received iron tablets for 7 days. The  subjects were 40 female students at Setia Budi University in Surakarta. Reticulocyte count examination was carried out at the Setia Budi University Hematology Laboratory, using manual calculations with Brillant Cresyl Blue supravital staining. Data normality was tested  with Saphiro Wilk and Independent t  test were performed before and after 7 days administration of iron tablets between 2 groups. Reticulocyte count before supplementation in the treatment and control groups showed no significant difference (p = 0.084). After administration of iron tablets, reticulocyte count showed a significant difference (p = 0.005) between the control group and the treatment group. Effect Size exhibited p = 1.509 which meant that the effect of iron tablets supplementation was quite large. This study concluded there were significant differences in the reticulocytes count before and after the administration of iron tablets to the students of Setia Budi University, Surakarta. It is very important to take iron tablets regularly at recommended dose to prevent anemia in women of childbearing age.