The effect of iron deficiency and mental stimulation on Indonesian children's cognitive performance and development

Three studies conducted in Indonesia will be described. Soewondo (12) investigated the relation of iron deficiency and cognitive function and impact of iron supplementation on verbal intelligence, attention and concept learning among iron deficient children without anemia and iron deficient anemic children. Half of 176 children, aged 3-6 years, received elemental Fe for 8 weeks and the other half received placebo. There were significant changes from pre to post intervention evaluations in ferritin, transferrin saturation, free erythrocyte protoporphyrin, and hemoglobin in the iron deficient anemic children. Pre and post treatment psychological test data showed that iron deficiency anemia produced alterations in cognitive processes related to visual attention and concept acquisition. These alterations can be reversed with iron treatment. Idjradinata (4) assessed the impact of iron supplementation on iron deficient infant's mental and psychomotor development. Hundred twenty six subjects aged 12 to 18 month were randomly assigned to either iron treatment or placebo intervention. After 4 months of iron supplementation, the hemoglobin, ferritin and transferrin saturation changed significantly in the iron deficient infants. A developmental delay was observed in the iron deficient anemic infants before intervention and the conditions were reversed after 4 months of iron treatment. Soemiarti (8) examined the effectiveness of a training course given to mothers of children aged 12 to 24 month on the rearing environment and consequently to the child's development. The subjects were 69 mothers of 20-35 years old. The training lasted for 21 days by giving mothers training using the program "Ibu Maju Anak Bermutu". The rearing environment improved, also the child's mental and psychomotor development.