Peculiarities of iron reserve in Native population of the Far North.

Prevalence of iron deficiency states (IDS) is high in Russia and all over the world. To reveal the peculiarities of this pathology epidemiologic studies were fulfilled in Siberia and the Far North. Iron found indices, prevalence and risk factors of IDS were studied in three regions: in Novosibirsk--a big industrial city, in Mountain Altai--where Native people--Altai-Kigi--live, and in Chukotka--in two villages where Eskimoes and Chukchi live. Regularity of increasing content of hemoglobin and erythrocyte from the South to the North was marked as well as low iron found indices in Ckukotka population. Prevalence of iron deficiency states in three regions is high--every third woman has iron deficiency. Index of iron deficiency progression is different in these regions. In the Far North there are more latent iron deficiency states, in Mountain Altai--there are more anemias. IDS development is caused by a complex of risk factors with ethnic variations in different regions. Long period of lactation, frequent deliveries and less number of abortions are found in Mountain Altai and Chukotka as compared to Novosibirsk. Changing diet and weakening of ethnic traditions, especially in the North, are additional risk factors for IDS development. The received data made it possible to carry out IDS prevention measures in different regions of Russia.