IRON DEFICIENCY ANAEMIA : EFFECT ON CONGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT IN CHILDREN : A REVIEW

Iron deficiency evolves slowly through several stages. Early iron deficiency caused a depletion in iron stores as shown by a reduction in the levels of hepatic non-heine iron in the new born of iron deficient mothers. Of particular importance is the effect on central nervous system, which leads to the defects in the cognition and learning processes in humans. Evidence is strong that in many under developed countries iron deficiency is the main cause of anaemia and supplementation under trial conditions may prevent some defects of iron deficiency but not all.