Iron Deficiency Anemia and Cognitive Function in Infancy

Abstract

OBJECTIVES This study examined effects of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) on specific domains of infant cognitive function and the role of IDA-related socioemotional deficits in mediating and/or moderating these effects. METHODS Infants were recruited during routine 9-month visits to an inner-city clinic. IDA was defined as hemoglobin level <110 g/L with ≥2 abnormal iron deficiency indicators (mean corpuscular volume, red cell distribution width, zinc protoporphyrin, transferrin saturation, and ferritin). At 9 and 12 months, the Fagan Test of Infant Intelligence (FTII); A-not-B task; Emotionality, Activity, and Sociability Temperament Survey; and Behavior Rating Scale were administered. Analyses were adjusted for potential confounders, including age and sociodemographic variables. RESULTS Twenty-eight infants met criteria for IDA, 28 had nonanemic iron deficiency (NA ID) and 21 had iron sufficiency (IS). There was a linear effect for object permanence at 9 months: infants with IDA were least likely to exhibit object permanence, IS most likely, and NA ID intermediate. Infants with IDA and those with hemoglobin level ≤105 g/L showed poorer recognition memory on the FTII than infants without IDA. The Behavior Rating Scale orientation/engagement measure partially mediated these effects. Stronger effects of IDA on these outcomes were seen in infants who scored more poorly on the socioemotional measures. CONCLUSIONS These data indicate poorer object permanence and short-term memory encoding and/or retrieval in infants with IDA at 9 months. These cognitive effects were attributable, in part, to IDA-related deficits in socioemotional function. Children with poor socioemotional performance seem to be more vulnerable to the effects of IDA on cognitive function.

Parents’ Knowledge and Practice of Iron Therapy for Anemic Infants in Primary Health Care in Bahrain

“…The data collection tool was based on medical references and previous literatures (Al-Alawi F, March 2015;Carter et al, 2010;Hassan et al, 2005;Lozoff et al, 2008;Sherriff A, 2001;Talebi et al, 2012;Williams et al, 1999). The content validity was tested via two pediatric consultants working in Ministry of Health.…”

“…Recent studies have yielded significant association between IDA and poor cognition, school achievement and behavioral problems (Carter et al, 2010;Lozoff et al, 2008;Sherriff, 2001;Williams et al, 1999). However, iron therapy can be accompanied by bothersome side effects that might affect compliance (Talebi et al, 2012).…”

Significado de la anemia en las diferentes etapas de la vida

“…(17,18,19) El recién nacido comienza la vida con unos 80 mgr de hierro por Kg de peso y la mayor parte de este hierro forma parte de la Hb con 50 gr/Kg. La cantidad de hierro del recién nacido viene determinada por el peso corporal y la masa de hemoglobina circulante.…”

Early Diagnosis of Iron Deficiency in School Children: A Qatari Experience

“…Iron deficiency even without anemia is also associated with adverse effects on neurocognitive development [3] and evidence that these effects may be permanent is mounting [4,5]. For example, children who had chronic iron deficiency in infancy had poorer mental and motor functioning when compared with their non-iron-deficient counterparts more than 10 years later [6].…”