Iron supplementation improves mental development score modestly .
This effect is particularly apparent for intelligence tests above 7 years of age and in initially anaemic or iron-deficient anaemic subjects .
There is no convincing evidence that iron treatment has an effect on mental development in children below 27 months of age or on motor development
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of iron supplementation on  mental and motor development in children through a systematic review of r and omised controlled trials ( RCTs ) .
THE EFFECTS OF THERAPY ON THE DEVELOPMENTAL SCORES OF IRON DEFICIENT INFANTS
It has been proposed that iron deficiency in infants and children is associated with behavioral alterations . To test this hypothesis , 24 infants with iron deficiency anemia , ages 9 to 26 mos , were r and omly assigned to a treatment and control group . Bayley Scales of Infant Development were administered before the institution of treatment with intramuscular iron or placebo and the test was readministered in 5 to 8 days . Mean hemoglobin level in the 2 groups was similar . It averaged 8.6 in the controls and 8.7 gm/dl in the treatment group . The 2 groupa did not differ with respect to age , sex , racial composition , or initial Bayley scores of Mental Development Index or Physical Development Index . Infants treated with iron showed a statistically significant ( p = .01 ) increase in their scores on the Mental Development Index averaging a mean gain of 13.6 points in a mean time of 6.8 days . No changes were observed in the control group . The treated group was also found to become more alert and responsive and demonstrated improvement in tests of gross and fine motor coordination . All improvement occurred independent of significant increases in hemoglobin level . These findings support the hypothesis that iron deficiency , and not anemia , in infants produces developmental alterations and that these changes are rapidly reversible with iron therapy
Iron supplementation improves mental development score modestly .
This effect is particularly apparent for intelligence tests above 7 years of age and in initially anaemic or iron-deficient anaemic subjects .
There is no convincing evidence that iron treatment has an effect on mental development in children below 27 months of age or on motor development
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of iron supplementation on  mental and motor development in children through a systematic review of r and omised controlled trials ( RCTs ) .