Determining the effect of iron supplement in cognitive enhancement in children: An experimental study

Abstract

Aim: To know the effect of iron supplement in cognitive enhancement in children.Material and method: Participants at three randomly selected schools were given iron supplement either once weekly or twice weekly or daily for one year. The fourth was the control school. In our study School boys (n=142) in the age group of 7-14 years was participated.Results: iron supplementation given daily and twice weekly significantly improved cognition in most tests; the effect was not seen in once-weekly or control groups. In daily and twice weekly iron supplement groups, positive change in cognition test scores was relatively higher in boys with good compliance(>70% dose) vs. poor compliance; in anemic (hemoglobin1.1g/dL) vs. lower Hb gain. Conclusion: Twice weekly IFA supplementation is comparable to daily IFA in terms of beneficial effects on cognition in young adolescent girls.