In anaemic groups supplementation improved intelligence quotient ( IQ ) by 2.5 points ( 95 % CI 1.24 to 3.76 ) , but had no effect on non-anaemic participants , or on memory , psychomotor skills or scholastic achievement .
Background In observational studies anaemia and iron deficiency are associated with cognitive deficits , suggesting that iron supplementation may improve cognitive function .
However , due to the potential for confounding by socio-economic status in observational studies , this needs to be verified in data from r and omised controlled trials ( RCTs ) .
Aim To assess whether iron supplementation improved cognitive domains : concentration , intelligence , memory , psychomotor skills and scholastic achievement .
Impact of iron supplementation on cognitive functions in preschool and school-aged children: the Indian experience.
Four studies examined impacts of iron supplementation on school children of various ages and both sexes . The first study investigated impact of iron-folic acid supplements for 60 d on cognition in 94 boys and girls aged 5 - 8 y. Improvement in total scores of the anemics was significantly higher than the nonanemics in 7 - 8-y-old children only . The second study assessed impacts of supplementation on cognition in 14 pairs of 5 - 6-y-old anemic boys , with clear beneficial effects on cognitive function . The third study investigated effects of varying dosages of elemental iron on cognitive function in 48 boys aged 8 - 15 y , with different levels of improvement . The fourth study investigated impacts of iron supplementation on 163 anemic girls aged 8 - 15 y with treatment and evaluations at 4 and 8 mo , with significantly improved scores in cognitive function after the eighth month
In anaemic groups supplementation improved intelligence quotient ( IQ ) by 2.5 points ( 95 % CI 1.24 to 3.76 ) , but had no effect on non-anaemic participants , or on memory , psychomotor skills or scholastic achievement .
Background In observational studies anaemia and iron deficiency are associated with cognitive deficits , suggesting that iron supplementation may improve cognitive function .
However , due to the potential for confounding by socio-economic status in observational studies , this needs to be verified in data from r and omised controlled trials ( RCTs ) .
Aim To assess whether iron supplementation improved cognitive domains : concentration , intelligence , memory , psychomotor skills and scholastic achievement .