Relation between iron deficiency anemia and cognitive and behavioral disorders in school age children

ABSTRACT

A purposeful sample of 110 children from El-Sahel Teaching Hospital in the age group 6-13 years old with iron deficiency anaemia were evaluated for behavioral and cognitive functions by using Arab version of the Parent Teacher Conner's Rating Scale and IQ. The results showed cognitive and behavioral disorders in the form of irritability, emotional disorders, anxiety, phobic and social anxiety with average IQ in 85% of the studied children [93 children]. Treatment with iron supplementation was prescribed for all studied cases. Appointments were given after 9 months for follow-up. Only 49 children [52.7% of the treated group] were re-evaluated after 9 months. They showed correction of the anemic state in 83.7% of the follow-up cases. Irritability, depressive disorders and anxiety improved in more than 81% of cases. Emotional disorders, phobic anxiety and social anxiety improved by 63.1%, 50% and 40% of cases, respectively. IQ changes were significant but remained in the same average score