Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 30, 2026
Quantitating Iron Transport Across the Mouse Placenta In Vivo Using Nonradioactive Iron Isotopes
Published on: May 10, 2022
Behavioral and developmental effects of preventing iron-deficiency anemia in healthy full-term infants
Betsy Lozoff1, Isidora De Andraca, Marcela Castillo
1Center for Human Growth and Development and Department of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-0406, USA. blozoff@umich.edu
Insights
Preventing iron-deficiency anemia in infancy through supplementation benefits infant development. Unsupplemented infants showed slower information processing and less positive social engagement.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Developmental Psychology
- Iron Metabolism
Background:
- Iron deficiency anemia is a prevalent nutritional deficiency in infants globally.
- Early iron status significantly impacts neurodevelopment and behavior.
- Understanding the long-term effects of iron supplementation is crucial for infant health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the behavioral and developmental consequences of preventing iron-deficiency anemia in infancy.
- To assess the impact of iron supplementation on cognitive processing, motor skills, and social-emotional behavior in infants.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving healthy full-term Chilean infants.
- Infants were assigned to iron-supplemented or no-added-iron groups from 6 to 12 months of age.
- Behavioral and developmental outcomes were assessed at 12 months using standardized tests.
Main Results:
- Infants in the no-added-iron group had a significantly higher prevalence of iron-deficiency anemia (22.6%) compared to the supplemented group (3.1%).
- Unsupplemented infants exhibited slower information processing, reduced positive affect, and less social interaction.
- Delayed crawling and increased tremulousness were observed in infants without iron supplementation.
Conclusions:
- Iron supplementation in the first year of life is associated with significant developmental and behavioral benefits for healthy infants.
- These findings support the role of adequate iron status in optimal brain development and socio-emotional functioning.
- Preventing iron-deficiency anemia through supplementation positively influences an infant's interaction with their environment.
Objective:
To determine the behavioral and developmental effects of preventing iron-deficiency anemia in infancy.
Methods:
Healthy full-term Chilean infants who were free of iron-deficiency anemia at 6 months were assigned to high- or low-iron groups or to high- or no-added-iron groups. Behavioral/developmental outcomes at 12 months of age included overall mental and motor test scores and specific measures of motor functioning, cognitive processing, and behavior. There were no differences between high- and low-iron groups in the prevalence of iron-deficiency anemia or behavioral/developmental outcome, and they were combined to form an iron-supplemented group (n = 1123) for comparison with the no-added-iron group (n = 534).
Results:
At 12 months, iron-deficiency anemia was present in 3.1% and 22.6% of the supplemented and unsupplemented groups, respectively. The groups differed in specific behavioral/developmental outcomes but not on global test scores. Infants who did not receive supplemental iron processed information slower. They were less likely to show positive affect, interact socially, or check their caregivers' reactions. A smaller proportion of them resisted giving up toys and test materials, and more could not be soothed by words or objects when upset. They crawled somewhat later and were more likely to be tremulous.
Conclusions:
The results suggest that unsupplemented infants responded less positively to the physical and social environment. The observed differences seem to be congruent with current understanding of the effects of iron deficiency on the developing brain. The study shows that healthy full-term infants may receive developmental and behavioral benefits from iron supplementation in the first year of life.
Related Concept Videos
01:07Teratogenicity
01:29Environmental Influences on Intelligence
01:22Development of Immunocompetence
The initial cells that migrate from the fetal thymus settle within the skin and epithelial tissues lining the mouth, digestive tract, and in females, the uterus and vagina. These cells, including skin-based dendritic cells, serve as antigen-presenting cells, playing a key role in T cell activation.
Subsequent T...
01:30Development of Human Microbiota
01:30Vitamins