Vol. 8, Issue 2, Part F (2022)

Humans require iron to function. In cerebral ischemia, free radicals that utilize iron cause more damage. In this study, serum ferritin levels were looked at as a potential indicator of early neurologic worsening in patients with stroke. In this study, the maximum number of patients was in the 18-90-year-old group. In total, 70 patients were admitted within 48 hours of a stroke. According to inclusion criteria, the study only included patients who were admitted within 48 hours of the onset of stroke. Of 70 patients, 34% were female and 65% were male.

A total of 32 patients with ischemic stroke were admitted, of which 25 improved and 7 deteriorated. Patients in the age group 61-70 were most likely to suffer an ischemic stroke. The mean serum ferritin level for improved patients was 211.61, while that of deteriorated patients was 316.82.

In all, 38 patients with haemorrhagic stroke were admitted, out of which 29 improved and 9 deteriorated. Patients aged 61-70 were more likely to experience haemorrhagic strokes. A mean serum ferritin level of 228.67 was found in improved patients, whereas 364.27 was found in deteriorated patients.

The mean serum ferritin level in deteriorated patients is significantly higher than that of improved patients. Early neurologic deterioration is associated with high ferritin levels within 24 hours after stroke onset. In cerebral ischemia, increased body iron stores may enhance cytotoxic mechanisms contributing to stroke progression. More research is needed to identify the underlying causes and potential therapeutic implications of serum ferritin elevations. The reduction of serum ferritin levels can be achieved with medications like Deferoxamine.