Iron Deficiency in Infancy and Neurocognitive and Educational Outcomes in Young Adulthood
Saved in:
| Title: | Iron Deficiency in Infancy and Neurocognitive and Educational Outcomes in Young Adulthood |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | East, Patricia (ORCID |
| Source: | Developmental Psychology. Jun 2021 57(6):962-975. |
| Availability: | American Psychological Association. Journals Department, 750 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20002. Tel: 800-374-2721; Tel: 202-336-5510; Fax: 202-336-5502; e-mail: order@apa.org; Web site: http://www.apa.org |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 14 |
| Publication Date: | 2021 |
| Sponsoring Agency: | Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) (NIH) National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (DHHS/NIH) |
| Contract Number: | R03HD097295 R01HD033487 R01HL088530 K01HL143159 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: | Foreign Countries, Infants, Child Health, Nutrition, Child Development, Neurological Impairments, Cognitive Ability, Verbal Ability, Young Adults, Memory, Cognitive Processes, Educational Attainment, Toddlers, Children, Intelligence, Conceptual Tempo, Attention Span, Executive Function, Individual Characteristics, Diseases, Child Behavior |
| Geographic Terms: | Chile (Santiago) |
| Assessment and Survey Identifiers: | Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Child Behavior Checklist, Trail Making Test |
| DOI: | 10.1037/dev0001030 |
| ISSN: | 0012-1649 |
| Abstract: | This study examines the extent to which iron deficiency in infancy contributes to adverse neurocognitive and educational outcomes in young adulthood directly and indirectly, through its influence on verbal cognition and attention problems in childhood. Young adults (N = 1,000, M age = 21.3 years, 52% female; of Spanish or indigenous descent) from working-class families in Santiago, Chile, completed instruments assessing memory, processing speed, mental flexibility, and educational attainment. Iron status was assessed at ages 6, 12, and 18 months, and verbal intelligence, inattention, and sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) symptoms were assessed at age 10. Results indicated that young adults who had iron-deficiency in infancy had poor executive control at age 21. Severity of iron deficiency during infancy was associated with lower verbal IQ and more frequent inattention and SCT symptoms in childhood, and with lower educational attainment in young adulthood through its effect on inattention. No additional indirect effects were found. Interventions directed toward improving cognitive and attention deficits linked to early-life iron deficiency appear warranted and could alter the course to adult functioning. Further research on the impact of such interventions would be helpful. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2021 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1305417 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | This study examines the extent to which iron deficiency in infancy contributes to adverse neurocognitive and educational outcomes in young adulthood directly and indirectly, through its influence on verbal cognition and attention problems in childhood. Young adults (N = 1,000, M age = 21.3 years, 52% female; of Spanish or indigenous descent) from working-class families in Santiago, Chile, completed instruments assessing memory, processing speed, mental flexibility, and educational attainment. Iron status was assessed at ages 6, 12, and 18 months, and verbal intelligence, inattention, and sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) symptoms were assessed at age 10. Results indicated that young adults who had iron-deficiency in infancy had poor executive control at age 21. Severity of iron deficiency during infancy was associated with lower verbal IQ and more frequent inattention and SCT symptoms in childhood, and with lower educational attainment in young adulthood through its effect on inattention. No additional indirect effects were found. Interventions directed toward improving cognitive and attention deficits linked to early-life iron deficiency appear warranted and could alter the course to adult functioning. Further research on the impact of such interventions would be helpful. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 0012-1649 |
| DOI: | 10.1037/dev0001030 |
