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
A systematic review was conducted to summarize the evidence currently available from r and omized controlled trials ( RCTs ) concerning the effect of iron intake of infants , children and adolescents on measures of cognitive development and function .
Once-weekly and 5-days a week iron supplementation differentially affect cognitive function but not school performance in Thai children.
Many studies have reported comparable hemoglobin response in subjects given intermittent and daily iron supplements .  However , the effect of intermittent iron supplementation on impaired cognitive function , one of the serious consequences of iron deficiency among children , has not been studied . We investigated the effects of 1 d/wk ( weekly ) and 5 d/wk ( daily ) iron supplementation on changes in results of intelligence quotient ( IQ ) , Thai language , and mathematics tests among Thai primary schoolchildren . A double-blind , r and omized , placebo-controlled trial was conducted . Primary schoolchildren ( n = 397 ) were r and omly assigned to receive iron supplements daily or weekly or placebo . Ferrous sulfate ( 300 mg ) or placebo tablets were given under direct observation by the research er for 16 wk . Changes in IQ , and Thai language and mathematics scores were then compared . The increases in hemoglobin concentration were comparable in the weekly and daily iron supplementation groups but serum ferritin increased more in the children supplemented daily . Children receiving daily iron supplements , however , had a significantly lower increase in IQ ( 3 + /- 12 points ) than those receiving the supplement weekly ( 6 + /- 12 points ) or placebo ( 6 + /- 12 points ) , whereas the last-mentioned two groups did not differ . Z-scores of Thai language and mathematics test results did not differ among the groups . We conclude that weekly iron supplementation is the regimen of choice in this study community
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
A systematic review was conducted to summarize the evidence currently available from r and omized controlled trials ( RCTs ) concerning the effect of iron intake of infants , children and adolescents on measures of cognitive development and function .