The Effect of Iron on Cognitive Development and Function in Infants, Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review

Abstract

A systematic review was conducted to summarize the evidence currently available from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) concerning the effect of iron intake of infants, children and adolescents on measures of cognitive development and function. The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE and Embase were searched up to and including February 2010. Studies were also identified by checking the bibliographies of the articles retrieved. All RCTs with an adequate control group in which iron supply was provided by natural food sources, fortified foods, formula or supplements to infants, children or adolescents until the age of 18 years were considered for inclusion. No language restrictions were applied. Fourteen studies met the selection criteria. Twelve out of these 14 studies had a high or moderate risk of bias. A large degree of heterogeneity of study populations, iron dosages and outcome measures precluded performing a quantitative meta-analysis. Overall, the studies suggest a modest positive effect of iron supplementation on cognition and psychomotor outcomes in anemic infants and children after supplementation periods of at least 2 months of duration.

Estado nutricional, parasitismo intestinal y sus factores de riesgo en una población vulnerable del municipio de Iza (Boyacá), Colombia año 2013

“…En la fase aguda se sabe que se incrementa la producción de algunas citoquinas que incluyen la interluquina 6, 1β, factor de necrosis α, interferón gama; la circulación y expresión de hepcidina está relacionada con las proteínas c reactiva, alfa 1 acido glicoproteína (42,43). Estudios han demostrado la asociación entre obesidad, inflamación y disminución de los depósitos de hierro (44)(45)(46). Este estudio evidenció la relación directa entre el IMC y la proteína C reactiva, obteniendo un r = 0.317, estadísticamente significativa (< 0.005).…”

Comparison of the Nutritional Values of Toddler Milks Available in Italy

“…Infants and toddlers are exceedingly vulnerable to iron deficiency because their natural diet tends to be low in iron, while at the same time, their needs for iron are unusually high due to rapid growth [32]. Rapid growth with high iron needs makes infants and young children a particular risk group for iron deficiency anemia, especially those aged 6-24 months [33]. Iron plays many important functions in the body, taking part in the distribution of oxygen, in the immune system and the development of certain brain functions; the lack of this element can therefore have a major impact on health.…”

“…Iron plays many important functions in the body, taking part in the distribution of oxygen, in the immune system and the development of certain brain functions; the lack of this element can therefore have a major impact on health. Two recent reviews has highlighted the positive relation between a good contribution of iron in childhood and psychomotor development indices [33,34].…”

“…Considering that the period of greatest risk of iron deficiency in childhood is between 6 and 24 months [33] and that this period overlaps the critical period of brain development, iron deficiency during early childhood may therefore be associated with abnormalities in brain development [33].…”

“…Considering that a iron supplementation may significantly improve measures of cognitive function and development in infants, children and adolescents, a policy should focus on prevention of iron deficiency anemia [33]. Food-based strategies are safe methods to control and prevent mild micronutrient deficiencies, as iron deficiency.…”