Recent studies confirm that iron-deficiency anemia not only impedes physical development in infants and young children but also affects their cognitive and psychomotor development.
Iron is essential for red blood cell production and is crucial for synthesizing and maintaining the proper function of numerous enzymes in the human body.Iron deficiency directly or indirectly impacts metabolic processes. In infants and young children with iron-deficiency anemia, hemoglobin concentration correlates closely with subsequent intellectual development—a 1g increase in hemoglobin correlates with a 1.75-point higher IQ test score.
Iron-deficiency anemia adversely affects psychomotor development.Infants with anemia demonstrate significantly lower standardized test scores in cognitive and psychomotor development, particularly in language acquisition and balance coordination skills. The severity of the condition and duration of illness do not improve behavioral development. Breastfeeding should be prioritized after birth. Starting at 6 months, introduce iron-rich, easily absorbable foods such as lean meat, pork liver, and animal blood.