Anemia of Inflammation Is Related to Cognitive Impairment among Children in Leyte, The Philippines

Abstract

BackgroundMany studies have addressed the relationship between iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and cognitive impairment, but none have evaluated the role of non-iron deficiency anemia (NIDA). One of the main causes of NIDA in developing countries is AI, largely due to infectious diseases, whereby iron is shunted away from bio-available forms to storage forms, making it less accessible for use by host tissues. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of NIDA, due largely to AI in this context, on cognitive function after adjustment for potential confounders.MethodologyThis cross-sectional study was conducted in Leyte, The Philippines among 322 children ages 7–18 years. Blood samples were collected and analyzed at the time of cognition testing. Three stool samples were collected and evaluated by the Kato Katz method for quantitative assessment for Schistosoma japonicum and geo-helminth infection. Socio-economic status (SES) was evaluated by survey. Linear regression models were used to quantify the adjusted relationship between performance in different cognitive domains and both IDA and NIDA.Principal FindingsAfter adjusting for age, sex, SES and nutritional status, children in the NIDA had lower scores on the PNIT (P = <0.05) and the WRAML memory domain (P<0.05) compared to children in the non-anemic group. Children in the IDA had lower performance on the PNIT compared to the non-anemic group after controlling for potential confounders (P<0.05).ConclusionsNIDA, predominantly due to AI in this context, was related to lower performance on two tests of cognitive function. This is likely due to decreased delivery of iron to host tissues in this context, including the CNS.

Mechanism of Anemia in Schistosoma mansoni–Infected School Children in Western Kenya

“…10,11 Recently, cognitive deficits were found to be associated with non-IDA (primarily AI) as a result of S. japonicum infection. 38 It will be important to determine if AI plays a role in cognitive deficits in children with S. mansoni. This information will contribute to the design of treatment programs that address the underlying disease, S. mansoni infection, and ameliorate schistosomiasisassociated morbidities.…”

Role of malnutrition and parasite infections in the spatial variation in children’s anaemia risk in northern Angola

“…Anaemia in children is associated with an increased risk of death, and may impair cognitive development (Nelson, 1996;Grantham-McGregor and Ani, 2001;Olson et al, 2009), growth (Lawless et al, 1994 and immune function (Oppenheimer, 2001). It has a multifactorial aetiology and the major contributors include non-infectious and infectious causes.…”

“…Iron-deficiency is the most common reason for anaemia and efforts to mitigate it include the delivery of iron supplements to populations at risk (WHO, 2001). While parasitic infections such as malaria, schistosomiasis and STH contribute to iron-deficiency anaemia due to the feeding mechanisms of the parasites that lead to blood loss, the worms also cause anaemia of inflammation (Olson et al, 2009).…”

Anemia in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases in Children

“…Так, доказано, что в дошкольном возрасте дети, перенесшие анемию в раннем возрасте, менее активные, имеют признаки задержки умственного развития чаще, чем сверстники [71]. О поражении цен-тральной нервной системы у детей с ЖДА можно судить по изменениям, выявляемым посредством электроэн-це фалографии: психомоторные нарушения сопровож-да ются низкой амплитудностью волны P300 (отвечает за рабочую память).…”