Correlation between Iron Deficiency Anemia and Cognitive Achievement in School Aged Children.

ABSTRACT

Background: Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA) is the most prevalent hematologic disorder in childhood. Most correlational studies have found association between iron-deficiency anemia and poor cognitive functions in children, however sufficient studies were not found in Indian children. This study was planned to find effect of iron deficiency anemia on cognitive achievements in school aged children. Methods: Thirty children with iron deficiency anemia and 30 age and sex matched healthy controls underwent IQ testing by Wechsler Intelligence scale for children (WISC). Iron deficiency anemia was defined as Hb <11 gm% and Transferrin Saturation (TS) < 16%. Results: Mean IQ were found to be significantly low in Iron deficient anemic children (91.5±2.3) as compared to controls (97.5±3.2) (Value of unpaired T 0.066 significant at p<0.05). Performance IQ scores were lower (89±2.1) as compared to Verbal IQ scores (94±2.6) in iron deficiency anemia. Conclusion: This indicates that iron deficiency anemia affects the cognitive performance in school children.