Iron deficiency anemia is seen most commonly in children six months to three years of age. Iron deficiency anemia significantly impairs mental and psychomotor development in infants and children. Although iron deficiency can be reversed with treatment, the reversibility of the mental and psychomotor impairment is not yet clearly understood. Thus, prevention and treatment need to be emphasized more than detection. In addition, iron deficiency increases a child's susceptibility to lead toxicity.
Lead replaces iron in the absorptive pathway when iron is unavailable.
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