American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol 50, 703-705, Copyright © 1989 by The American Society for Nutrition

Summary and conclusions of the International Conference on Iron Deficiency and Behavioral Development, October 10-12, 1988

¹ From the Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

Many studies have shown an association between iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) and less than optimal behavior in infants and children, demonstrated by lower scores on tests of development, learning, and school achievement. A problem with interpretation is that IDA is associated with other adverse conditions that may independently affect behavior. New studies have shown that iron therapy in children with IDA results in improvements in certain behavioral tests. This research on children and experimental animals suggests that IDA is causally associated with less than optimal behavior. Therefore, it is important that IDA be prevented and treated in all children. Because the specific mechanism and functional significance of these behavioral changes are not completely understood, further studies are essential to clarify effects of IDA itself, to assess the reversibility of these effects, and to determine the importance of lesser degrees of iron deficiency in children.

Key Words: Iron • iron deficiency • behavior