EFFECT OF IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA ON THE PHYSICAL AND COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT IN URBAN CHILDREN

Abstract

The study aimed to investigate the effect of iron deficiency anemia on the physical and cognitive development in urban children. It included 76 children of both sexes aged 4-<15 years, 38 children suffering from IDA and 38 healthy child of matched ages and sex as control group. The study included I) Recognizing the social characteristics of• parents and the living environment of the child. 2) Collecting data on child health history and general examinations. 3) Determining Hb levels. 4) Determining hair contents of zn, pb and cd. 5) Assessing and evaluating ofnutritional status of the children by measuring anthropometric measurements and dietary intakes. 6) Estimating IQ level. 7) Study the relationships among IQ, Hb concentrations, anthropometric measurements, dietary intakes, socia­ economic variables and minerals concentrations in hair. 8) Set regression prediction equations for IQ's of the children. The results showed that: Fifty percent of children in IDA group and 30% in control group belonged to low socio-economic level. In control group 92.1% and in IDA group 76.3% was within normal height/age. The normal weight/height represented 81.6 and 71.1% in control and IDA groups, respectively. While the percentages of children within normal weight/age were 89.5 and 84.2% in control and IDA groups, respectively. IQ's means were 104.05 in control group and 93.26 in IDA group, with highly significant difference between these means. High percentages (76.3 and 68.4%) and about half of children received only 33- < 1 66% of their requirements from protein, iron and zinc in control and IDA groups, respectively. Only small percentages of children could get their daily needs from vitamins. The mean hair contents of lead and cadmium were higher in IDA group than those in control group, with highly significant £! difference between means. Chi-Square test showed highly significant relationship between IQ's grades and father's occupations and parent's l: education. There were highly significant correlations between socio­ economic level and each of IQ's scores, animal protein and Ca intakes. However, negative association was found between IQ and each of degree of ._.. house crowdness & hair pb concentrations. Hb and hair pb & cd concentrations. Regression prediction equations for IQ's were set.