Background: Iron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) are among the most common forms of anemia worldwide. Although the underlying causes of ID may vary depending on a country’s developmental level, lifestyle, and other factors, blood loss remains the principal cause leading to ID and subsequent IDA. In hemophilia, recurrent bleeding due to deficiencies of coagulation factors (FVIII, FIX, FXI) can lead to ID, which may progress to IDA and adversely affect the quality of life in these patients. The absence of studies evaluating the prevalence of ID and IDA among hemophiliac patients in Mongolia provided the impetus for this investigation. Aim: To assess the prevalence of ID and IDA among patients with hemophilia. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 45 patients with hemophilia registered at the Hemophilia Comprehensive Center (HCC), Mongolia-Japan Hospital, Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences. All participants underwent laboratory testing, including complete blood count (CBC) and serum ferritin levels—were performed using the SYSMEX XN2000 and COBAS BM6010 analyzers. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS 27.0 and MS Excel 2010. Results: Among the 45 cases, 41 were Hemophilia A and 4 were Hemophilia B. Reduced serum iron levels were found in 33.3% (15), and low ferritin levels were observed in 22.2%. Detailed blood tests revealed microcytic hypochromic changes in 43.9% (18) of Hemophilia A cases and in 100% (4) of Hemophilia B cases. The overall prevalence of ID was 13.3%, while the prevalence of IDA was 22.2%. Among the IDA cases, 90.0% were classified as mild and 10.0% as moderate. Notably, 80.0% of the IDA cases occurred in children under 15 years of age. Conclusion ID and IDA are common among hemophiliac patients. The high prevalence among children under 15 years of age suggests an age-related predisposition, emphasizing the need to improve disease management and to implement preventive measures against anemia in this population.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a primary liver cancer originating from liver cells, classified as a chronic liver disease. This cancer ranks third in the world in terms of mortality rate. The MELD (Model for End-Stage Liver Disease) and Child-Pugh scoring systems are utilized to assess the prognosis of chronic liver diseases. Based on studies suggesting that certain blood test indicators, particularly red cell distribution width (RDW), could be used to predict the prognosis of liver cancer and other cancers, as well as serve as diagnostic markers, this topic was chosen to evaluate the clinical significance of RDW in hepatocellular carcinoma. Aim: The aim is to study some blood test indicators and compare them with the MELD score and Child-Pugh score systems in order to determine the prognosis of chronic liver diseases. Materials and Methods: A retrospective, single-center, cross-sectional study was conducted at Mongolia-Japan Hospital. Among 322 patients diagnosed with HCC, 24 patients were selected for the case group, and 37 patients with liver cirrhosis were included in the control group. Results: According to the research criteria, 61 patients were selected and divided into 3 groups, and statistical analysis was performed. In the detailed blood test, platelet count and WBC count showed statistically significant differences among the 3 groups (p< 0.024). In the biochemical tests, C-reactive protein (CRP) was p< 0.018, total bilirubin p< 0.001, and the mean albumin level p< 0.015, all showing statistically significant differences among the 3 groups. A statistically significant inverse correlation was observed between RDW-CV and the clinical MELD score (r=-0.356). Conclusion Platelet count, RDW, CRP, total bilirubin, and average albumin levels are significantly different across the studied groups. RDW-CV shows a moderate inverse correlation with MELD scores, suggesting its potential as a prognostic marker in chronic liver diseases. Further research with larger sample sizes is recommended to confirm these findings.

Objectives: To measure personal exposure to air pollution in children, in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Methods: Since coal burning for domestic heating causes severe air pollution in Ulaanbaatar, we measured personal PM2.5 exposure for children aged 5-12 years during the winter 2013-2014. Results: Peak levels of black carbon PM2.5 exposure >200 µg/m3 between November and March varied significantly with time of day, with the highest peak 18:00-02:00, a nadir 02:00-07:00, followed by a second peak 07:00 -12:00, with another afternoon nadir 12:00-18:00. Children living in Ger districts in a Ger or wooden house, had the highest levels of PM2.5, >500 µg/m3 , with duration of personal peak exposure in Gers 8-fold longer than in wooden houses. Conclusion: Peak exposures in Gers were related to going outside, fire lighting and cooking, whereas in wooden houses peak exposures were related to going outside or opening the door. The least exposure for children was in an apartment or school with the windows shut. Significant levels of personal exposure also occurred during the commute to school, outside playtime, shopping trips and car rides. Opening the window of steam heated apartments for “fresh air cooling” as well as indoor smoking also produced important levels of personal exposure.