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The Effect of Iron Deficiency Anemia and Serum Ferritin Deficiency on Cognitive Functions in Children 1 to 5 Years

Bahri Can Duran1, Yilmaz Ay2, Hidayet Imancli3

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine.

Journal of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
|August 5, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Iron deficiency anemia and low serum ferritin negatively impact children's cognitive and motor skills. Treatment can partially reverse these effects, improving overall development.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Health
  • Nutritional Neuroscience
  • Developmental Psychology

Background:

  • Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and serum ferritin deficiency are common in young children.
  • These deficiencies may affect cognitive and motor development, but evidence requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the impact of IDA and serum ferritin deficiency on mental and motor functions in children aged 1-5 years.
  • To determine if iron treatment can ameliorate these functional deficits.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 79 children (1-5 years) was divided into three groups: IDA, nonanemic iron deficiency, and controls.
  • The Ankara Developmental Screening Inventory (ADSI) assessed developmental functions before and after a 3-month iron treatment for case groups.

Main Results:

  • Children with IDA and iron deficiency showed significantly lower ADSI T-scores compared to controls.
  • Iron treatment led to significant improvements in ADSI T-scores for both iron-deficient groups.
  • Serum ferritin levels positively correlated with language-cognitive, fine-motor, gross-motor, and social-self-care skills, as well as general development.

Conclusions:

  • Decreased serum ferritin levels, an early sign of iron deficiency, adversely affect children's cognitive functions.
  • Iron supplementation therapy can partially correct these developmental impairments.
Abstract

Keywords:
anemiachildhoodferritin deficiencymental developmentmotor development

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