Written by Greg Arnold, DC, CSCS. In studies with 7,089 children, supplementing with iron reduced anemia by 50% and improved IQ scores by 10.6%.
Anemia is estimated to affect 1 in 4 school-aged children worldwide (1). This is a significant concern, as anemia has been shown to be related to development deficits, including a significant decrease in IQ and physical growth (2). Fortunately, a new review (3) suggests that iron supplementation for children with anemia may be beneficial on several different levels.
In the review, researchers identified 32 studies consisting of 7,089 children, with 31 of the studies being conducted in low or middle-income settings. In addition to reducing the risk of anemia by 50% and the risk of iron deficiency by 79%, the researchers found 3 benefits of iron supplementation for anemic children:
- Global cognitive scores significantly improved in children but only those who were anemic at the start of the study (p = 0.01). Two studies in 2009 showed statistically significant improvements (p < 0.05 (4), p < 0.01 (5), from iron supplementation in digit span, maze testing and visual memory testing with 100 mg elemental iron given either once per day or twice per week for one year.
- IQ among anemic children given iron supplementation saw a 10.6% increase (94 to 104, p < 0.01) with 20 mg per day (6).
- Iron supplementation also improved age-adjusted height in all children, including one study (7) showing 12 milligrams of elemental iron per day for one year improved a measure of growth called a “z-score” (8) from -2.22 to -0.64 (p < 0.01).
In addition, “There was no difference in the number of children with gastrointestinal upset, constipation, vomiting or diarrhea or the rates of diarrhea between children who received iron supplementation or control.” (p = 0.17)
All of this led the researchers to conclude, “Our analysis suggests that iron supplementation safely improves [blood-related and non-blood-related] outcomes among primary school–aged children in low or middle-income settings and is well-tolerated.”
Source: Low, Michael, Ann Farrell, Beverley-Ann Biggs, and Sant-Rayn Pasricha. “Effects of daily iron supplementation in primary-school–aged children: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.” Canadian Medical Association Journal (2013): cmaj-130628.
© 2013 Canadian Medical Association or its licensors
Posted November 22, 2013.
Greg Arnold is a Chiropractic Physician practicing in Hauppauge, NY. You can contact Dr. Arnold directly by emailing him at PitchingDoc@msn.com or visiting his web site at www.PitchingDoc.com
References:
- Benoist B, McLean E, Egli I, et al. Worldwide prevalence of anaemia 1993–2005. Geneva (Switzerland): World Health Organization; 2008.
- Stoltzfus RJ, Mullany L, Black RE. Iron deficiency anaemia. In: Ezzati M, Lopez AD, Rodgers A, et al., editors. Comparative quantification of health risks: global and regional burden of disease attributable to selected major risk factors. Geneva (Switzerland): World Health Organization; 2004.
- Low M. Effects of daily iron supplementation in primary-school-aged children: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. CMAJ 2013 Oct 15. [Epub ahead of print].
- Sen A, Kanani SJ. Impact of iron-folic acid supplementation on cognitive abilities of school girls in Vadodara. Indian Pediatr 2009;46:137-43.
- Sen A, Kanani SJ. Physical work capacity of young underprivileged school girls impact of daily vs intermittent iron folic acid supplementation: a randomized controlled trial. Indian Pediatr 2009;46:849-54.
- Seshadri S, Gopaldas T. Impact of iron supplementation on cognitive functions in preschool and school-aged children: the Indian experience. Am J Clin Nutr 1989;50:675-84, discussion 85-6.
- Perrone L, Salerno M, Gialanella G, et al. Long-term zinc and iron supplementation in children of short stature: effect of growth and on trace element content in tissues. J Trace Elem Med Biol 1999;13:51-6
- “Frequently Asked Questions About the 2000 CDC Growth Charts” posted on the CDC Website
