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Evidence that cognitive deficit in children is associated not only with iron deficiency, but also with blood lead

Kyoung Sook Jeong1, Hyewon Park2, Eunhee Ha3

  • 1Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Dongguk University College of Medicine, Dongguk University Ilsan Hospital, Goyang, Republic of Korea.

Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology : Organ of the Society for Minerals and Trace Elements (GMS)
|September 17, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Iron deficiency and elevated blood lead concentrations are linked to cognitive deficits in children. Blood lead levels partially mediate the impact of iron deficiency on verbal IQ, highlighting dual risks.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Pediatric Nutrition
  • Neurodevelopmental Toxicology

Background:

  • Iron deficiency is a common nutritional issue in children.
  • Environmental lead exposure is a known neurotoxin.
  • The interplay between iron status and lead toxicity in children's cognitive development requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if iron-deficient children exhibit elevated blood lead concentrations.
  • To examine the association between iron deficiency, blood lead levels, and cognitive deficits in children.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of data from 194 children in the Mothers' and Children's Environmental Health (MOCEH) study cohort.
  • Measurement of blood lead, serum ferritin, and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations at 60 months of age.
  • Assessment of cognitive function using the Korean version of the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI-R); multivariate linear regression was employed.

Main Results:

  • A significant inverse association was found between blood lead and ferritin concentrations in children.
  • Both blood lead and ferritin levels were independently associated with verbal IQ.
  • Blood lead concentration was identified as a significant partial mediator in the relationship between iron deficiency and verbal IQ.

Conclusions:

  • Cognitive deficits in children are associated with both iron deficiency and elevated blood lead concentrations.
  • Interventions addressing both nutritional status and environmental lead exposure may be crucial for preventing cognitive impairments in children.
Abstract

Keywords:
Blood leadIQSerum ferritinWPPSI-R

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