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- Title
Effect of iron supplementation in pregnancy on IQ of children at 4 years of age.
- Authors
Zhou, S. J.; Makrides, M.; Gibson, R. A.; Baghurst, P.
- Abstract
Background - Evidence from animal studies has consistently demonstrated that inadequate iron nutrition during pregnancy leads to permanent structural and functional changes in the brain of offspring. However, there are no human intervention trials specifically designed to examine the effect of iron nutrition in pregnancy on childhood neurodevelopment. Objective - To assess the IQ of children at 4 years of age whose mothers had previously participated in a double blinded randomised controlled trial (RCT) of iron supplementation in pregnancy. Design - Families who participated in the RCT¹ during 1997-1999 were invited to participate in a follow up study when the children were 4 years of age. The IQ of the children was assessed using the Stanford - Binet Intelligence Test (4th Ed). Additional information on possible confounders of child development such as home environment and length of breastfeeding was also collected. Outcomes - Seventy-seven percent (302/391) of the children from the original trial participated (with parental consent) in the follow up study. The mean age and IQ of the children was 4.2 ± 0.2 years and 109 ± 11, respectively. There was no difference in the IQ scores between children of iron supplemented mothers compared with children of placebo supplemented mothers. Girls had higher mean IQ than boys (110 ± 11 vs 107 ± 11, P=0.03). There was a strong association between IQ and home environment as assessed with the Home Screening Questionnaire. Birth order and the education level of parents were also associated with the IQ scores of children. Conclusions - Maternal iron supplementation in pregnancy has no effect on IQ of the children at 4 years in this relatively well nourished population.
- Subjects
IRON in the body; INTELLIGENCE testing in children; NUTRITION in pregnancy; HOME environment; CHILD development
- Publication
Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2004, Vol 13, pS39
- ISSN
0964-7058
- Publication type
Article