The relationship between infant iron status and risk of neurological impairment
Abstract: Iron deficiency (ID)
is a commonly found nutritional disorder and a persistent problem, especially
in Indonesia. Iron deficiency during the critical period in childhood brain
development is estimated to cause irreversible damage that hinders infant
development.
Objective To determine the relationship between infant iron status and
neurological development.
Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study at the Growth and
Development Outpatient Clinic, Prof. Dr. R. D. Kandou Hospital, Manado, from March
to May 2015. By consecutive sampling, we obtained 44 healthy infants aged 7 to
10 months who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Infants with a history of
perinatal complications, such as head trauma, hypoglycemia, respiratory
distress syndrome, infection, or malaria were excluded Subjects’ serum
hemoglobin and ferritin were examined for iron status. Infants’ risk of
neurological impairment was assessed by the Bayley Infant Neurodevelopmental
Screener (BINS). Results were analyzed by descriptive analysis for the
characteristics and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient analysis for the
relationship between iron status and neurological development.
Results From 14 infants with ID, 8 infants had a high risk of
developmental impairment. Of the 30 non-ID subjects, 4 infants had a high risk
of developmental impairment. Of the 30 non-ID infants, 16 infants had a low
risk of impaired development, while 2 infants with ID had low risk of
developmental impairment. Spearman’s rho revealed that infant iron deficiency
was significantly associated with high risk of neurological impairment.
(r=-0.547; P<0.0001).
Conclusion Lower serum ferritin levels (iron deficiency) is significantly
associated with greater risk of impaired neurological development in infants
aged 7-10 months.
Keywords: iron deficiency;
infant neurological development; Bayley Infant Neurodevelopmental Screener;
BINS
Author: Buntat, Nurhayati
Masloman, Johnny Rompis
Journal Code: jpkedokterangg170210
