Event related potentials in anemic school--going girls of age group 8 to 10 years

In the present study the effects of anemia on cognitive functions were studied in school going girls aged 8-10 years. The cognitive functions were assessed by Event Related Potentials (P300) and by the psychometric tests, i.e., Raven's progressive matrices test and Digit span attention test. The girls with Hb < 12 g/dl were classified into anemic and Hb > 12 g/dl into control group. Hematological values of the control group were significantly better than anemic group. P300 latency in the anemic girls was delayed as compared to control group but, no statistically significant difference was observed for P300 latency and P300 amplitude between the control group and the anemic group. The psychometric test scores for intelligence quotient and transformed quotient were also better but not statistically significant in control group of girls as compared to anemic girls. However, the hematocrit values showed a significant correlation with the P300 wave latency showing that the hematological status is associated with some effects on cognition.