Iron deficiency and infant motor development

• Published in: Early human development Vol. 84; no. 7; pp. 479 - 485
• Main Authors: Shafir, Tal, Angulo-Barroso, Rosa, Jing, Yuezhou, Angelilli, Mary Lu, Jacobson, Sandra W., Lozoff, Betsy
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lausanne Elsevier Ireland Ltd 01.07.2008; New York,NY Elsevier; Amsterdam
• Subjects: Adult; Advanced Basic Science; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency - blood; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency - physiopathology; Biological and medical sciences; Child Development - physiology; Embryology: invertebrates and vertebrates. Teratology; Female; Food, Fortified; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Infant; Infant Behavior - physiology; Infant Formula - administration & dosage; Iron - administration & dosage; Iron - blood; Iron deficiency; Male; Motor Activity - physiology; Motor development; Neonatal and Perinatal Medicine; Psychomotor Performance - physiology; Motor development; Iron deficiency; Infant; Human; Iron deficiency anemia; Development; Metabolic diseases; Hemopathy; Iron; Sideropenia; Inorganic element
• ISSN: 0378-3782; 1872-6232
• DOI: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2007.12.009

Iron deficiency (ID) during early development impairs myelination and basal ganglia function in animal models. To examine the effects of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and iron deficiency (ID) without anemia on infant motor skills that are likely related to myelination and basal ganglia function. Observational study. Full-term inner-city African-American 9- to 10-month-old infants who were free of acute or chronic health problems with iron status indicators ranging from IDA to iron sufficiency ( n = 106). Criteria for final iron status classification were met by 77 of these infants: 28 IDA, 28 non-anemic iron-deficient (NA ID), and 21 iron-sufficient (IS). Gross motor developmental milestones, Peabody Developmental Motor Scale, Infant Neurological International Battery (INFANIB), motor quality factor of the Bayley Behavioral Rating Scale, and a sequential/bi-manual coordination toy retrieval task. General linear model analyses tested for linear effects of iron status group and thresholds for effects. There were linear effects of iron status on developmental milestones, Peabody gross motor (suggestive trend), INFANIB standing item, motor quality, and toy retrieval. The threshold for effects was ID with or without anemia for developmental milestones, INFANIB standing item, and motor quality and IDA for toy retrieval. Using a comprehensive and sensitive assessment of motor development, this study found poorer motor function in ID infants with and without anemia. Poorer motor function among non-anemic ID infants is particularly concerning, since ID without anemia is not detected by common screening procedures and is more widespread than IDA.