Razi Journal of Medical Sciences

Introduction: Deficiencies in micronutrients are a major health issue in all ages , especially children, in developing countries. Severe or long-term iron deficiency will lead to iron deficiency anemia and thus affect children’s growth and development. This review article tried to determine the neurodevelopmental effects of deficiency in this micronutrient among children. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted on PubMed, Web of Science, ISI, Scopus, Google Scholar, IranMedex, and SID databases. “Iron deficiency”, “child”, “infant”, “development”, and “developmental delay” were used as keywords. A total of 150 articles on the relation between iron deficiency and developmental and nervous system disorders in children were retrieved. After further evaluations, 88 articles were excluded and only 62 articles (published during 1989-2014) were considered. Findings: Review of the literature revealed relations between iron deficiency in infants and impairment of neurotransmitter metabolism, hypomyelination in the brain, attention deficit, reduced learning ability, ش

Background: Deficiencies in micronutrients are a major health issue in all ages, especially children, in developing countries. Severe or long-term iron deficiency will lead to iron deficiency anemia and thus affect children’s growth and development. This review article tried to determine the neurodevelopmental effects of deficiency in this micronutrient among children.

Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted on PubMed, Web of Science, ISI, Scopus, Google Scholar, Iran Medex, and SID databases. “Iron deficiency”, “child”, “infant”, “development”, and “developmental delay” were used as keywords. A total of 150 articles on the relation between iron deficiency and developmental and nervous system disorders in children were retrieved. After further evaluations, 88 articles were excluded and only 62 articles (published during 1989-2014) were considered.

Results: Review of the literature revealed relations between iron deficiency in infants and impairment of neurotransmitter metabolism, hypo myelination in the brain, attention deficit, reduced learning ability, cognitive disability, auditory system disorders, abnormal sleep patterns, and developmental delay.

Conclusion: Apparently, iron deficiency exerts undeniable neurodevelopmental effects in children. Considering the significance of children in the future of a country, appropriate measures need to be taken to ensure timely prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of iron deficiency.

ognitive disability, auditory system disorders, abnormal sleep patterns, and developmental delay. Conclusion: Apparently, iron deficiency exerts undeniable neurodevelopmental effects in children. Considering the significance of children in the future of a country, appropriate measures need to be taken to ensure timely prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of iron deficiency.