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The effect of iron supplementation on visual-evoked potentials in infants with iron-deficiency anemia
S U Sarici1, V Okutan, M R Dündaröz
1Department of Pediatrics, Gülhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey. susarici@hotmail.com
Insights
Iron deficiency anemia in infants causes subtle visual impairment. Iron therapy improved visual-evoked potential N2 latencies, suggesting a benefit for visual function.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Nutritional Neuroscience
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is prevalent in infants.
- IDA can affect neurodevelopment, including visual pathways.
- Subclinical visual impairment may occur in IDA.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of IDA on visual function in infants.
- To assess the efficacy of iron therapy on visual function using visual-evoked potentials (VEPs).
Main Methods:
- Studied 20 infants with IDA using flash visual-evoked potentials (fVEPs).
- fVEPs were retested after 12 weeks of iron therapy.
- Hematological parameters were monitored to confirm treatment response.
Main Results:
- All infants showed excellent hematological recovery after iron therapy.
- Post-treatment N2 latencies in fVEPs significantly decreased (p < 0.05).
- This indicates a measurable improvement in visual pathway function.
Conclusions:
- IDA leads to subclinical visual impairment in infants.
- fVEPs are a valuable non-invasive tool for detecting visual effects of nutritional deficiencies.
- fVEPs can aid in monitoring infant nutritional status and treatment effectiveness.
Abstract:
Flash visual-evoked potentials were studied in 20 infants with iron-deficiency anemia to determine the effect of iron deficiency on visual function by using visual-evoked potentials in this type of anemia. After iron therapy for 12 weeks, visual-evoked potentials were retested in these otherwise healthy infants. All infants showed an excellent hematological response to iron therapy. Post-treatment visual-evoked potential N2 latencies (negative deflections) decreased significantly compared to the pre-treatment values (p < 0.05). These results suggest that iron-deficiency anemia causes subclinical visual impairment, and visual-evoked potentials may be a useful non-invasive means of detecting subtle effects of nutritional deficiencies and monitoring the nutritional status of infants.