588 behavior and development of iron deficient anemic in- fants

ABSTRACT To assess effects of iron deficiency on behavior and development, 75 healthy 6-24 month old urban Guatemalan babies with and without mild iron deficiency anemia were compared with

the Bayley Scales in a double-blind study. Initial mental and physical development scores (MDI, PDI) of anemic infants were significantly lower, especially in older babies (19-24 month

olds). On the Infant Behavior Record anemic infants were more fearful, tense and less socially responsive, active, persistent and reactive. On the Mental Scale older anemic infants failed

language comprehension and expression and eye-hand coordination items significantly more than the non-anemic group. There were no significant differences between anemic and non-anemic groups

in birth histories, socioeconomic level or nutritional status to explain the lower scores. Short-term oral iron therapy did not change infant behavior, and developmental test score deficits

persisted. In the absence of treatment effects, the findings cannot unequivocably be attributed to iron lack. Yet iron deficiency anemia was the only characteristic found to distinquish

infant groups. The results of this study suggest that mild iron deficiency anemia may be an unrecognized risk factor for developmental impairment in millions of infants. ARTICLE PDF AUTHOR

INFORMATION AUTHORS AND AFFILIATIONS * Case Western Reserve U. School of Med., Dept. of Peds., Cleveland B Lozoff, G Brittenham, J Urrutia, F Viteri & M Klaus * INCAP, Guatemala B

Lozoff, G Brittenham, J Urrutia, F Viteri & M Klaus Authors * B Lozoff View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar * G Brittenham View author

publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar * J Urrutia View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar * F Viteri View

author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar * M Klaus View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar RIGHTS AND

PERMISSIONS Reprints and permissions ABOUT THIS ARTICLE CITE THIS ARTICLE Lozoff, B., Brittenham, G., Urrutia, J. _et al._ 588 BEHAVIOR AND DEVELOPMENT OF IRON DEFICIENT ANEMIC IN- FANTS.

_Pediatr Res_ 15 (Suppl 4), 538 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-00601 Download citation * Issue Date: 01 April 1981 * DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-00601

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