OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the developmental profile of children with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and the changes following iron supplementation. METHODS: Study was conducted prospectively in a tertiary care teaching institution. Subjects were children aged 6 months to 5-years, with IDA, proven by hematological parameters and iron studies. Complete blood counts and iron studies were performed at the beginning and following 3-months therapy with iron. Simultaneously, development was assessed by Developmental profile II (DPII), which was interpreted using IQ equivalent (IQE) scores and 'fractional months differential' (FMD). RESULTS: Thirty five children fulfilled predetermined inclusion criteria. The mean-age was 22.3+/-13.4 months. Majority (71.4%) had moderate, while 5 (14.3%), each had mild and severe anemia. Significant developmental delay was observed in iron deficient children. Maximum delay was observed in academic and communication domains. 6 (17.2%) failed developmental screening, with IQE scores of <70. Significant improvement in DPII scores was noticed following therapy. Although some gain in IQE scores was noticed in the majority (88.6%), significant improvement (e => 10-point gain) was observed in about half (51.4%). Interpretation of DPII by FMD revealed significant improvement in all the domains as well. CONCLUSION: Children with IDA have suboptimal developmental scores. The delayed development is variably reversible following oral iron therapy. Hb =< 7 g/dl and age >24 months predicts suboptimal outcome. FMD is a useful method of interpreting DPII.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the developmental profile of children with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and the changes following iron supplementation. METHODS: Study was conducted prospectively in a tertiary care teaching institution. Subjects were children aged 6 months to 5-years, with IDA, proven by hematological parameters and iron studies. Complete blood counts and iron studies were performed at the beginning and following 3-months therapy with iron. Simultaneously, development was assessed by Developmental profile II (DPII), which was interpreted using IQ equivalent (IQE) scores and 'fractional months differential' (FMD). RESULTS: Thirty five children fulfilled predetermined inclusion criteria. The mean-age was 22.3+/-13.4 months. Majority (71.4%) had moderate, while 5 (14.3%), each had mild and severe anemia. Significant developmental delay was observed in iron deficient children. Maximum delay was observed in academic and communication domains. 6 (17.2%) failed developmental screening, with IQE scores of <70. Significant improvement in DPII scores was noticed following therapy. Although some gain in IQE scores was noticed in the majority (88.6%), significant improvement (e => 10-point gain) was observed in about half (51.4%). Interpretation of DPII by FMD revealed significant improvement in all the domains as well. CONCLUSION:Children with IDA have suboptimal developmental scores. The delayed development is variably reversible following oral iron therapy. Hb =< 7 g/dl and age >24 months predicts suboptimal outcome. FMD is a useful method of interpreting DPII.
Authors: B Lozoff; G M Brittenham; A W Wolf; D K McClish; P M Kuhnert; E Jimenez; R Jimenez; L A Mora; I Gomez; D Krauskoph Journal: Pediatrics Date: 1987-06 Impact factor: 7.124