Long-term effects of iron and zinc supplementation during infancy on cognitive function at 9 y of age in northeast Thai children: a follow-up study.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether iron supplementation during infancy leads to long-term cognitive improvements in children by age 9.
Results Summary
The study found no significant differences in cognitive performance or school achievement at age 9 between children who received iron supplementation in infancy and those who did not. Iron supplementation did not result in long-term cognitive benefits.
Population
560 children aged 4-6 months at the start of the study, followed up at age 9.
Effective Dosage
Daily supplementation for 6 months (specific dosage not mentioned in the abstract).
Duration
6 months
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
iron supplementation | no change | cognitive performance | 9-y-old children | no significant differences | does not lead to long-term cognitive improvement | #1 |
zinc supplementation | no change | cognitive performance | 9-y-old children | no significant differences | does not lead to long-term cognitive improvement | #2 |
iron plus zinc supplementation | no change | cognitive performance | 9-y-old children | no significant differences | does not lead to long-term cognitive improvement | #3 |
iron supplementation | no change | full scale intelligence quotient | children aged 9 y | 92.9 to 93.7 | No significant differences | #4 |
zinc supplementation | no change | full scale intelligence quotient | children aged 9 y | 92.9 to 93.7 | No significant differences | #5 |
iron plus zinc supplementation | no change | full scale intelligence quotient | children aged 9 y | 92.9 to 93.7 | No significant differences | #6 |
iron supplementation | no change | verbal intelligence quotient | children aged 9 y | 93.9-95.4 | No significant differences | #7 |
zinc supplementation | no change | verbal intelligence quotient | children aged 9 y | 93.9-95.4 | No significant differences | #8 |
iron plus zinc supplementation | no change | verbal intelligence quotient | children aged 9 y | 93.9-95.4 | No significant differences | #9 |
iron supplementation | no change | performance intelligence quotient | children aged 9 y | 93.1-94.0 | No significant differences | #10 |
zinc supplementation | no change | performance intelligence quotient | children aged 9 y | 93.1-94.0 | No significant differences | #11 |
iron plus zinc supplementation | no change | performance intelligence quotient | children aged 9 y | 93.1-94.0 | No significant differences | #12 |
iron supplementation | no change | Raven's Colored Progressive Matrices score | children aged 9 y | 21.4 to 22.4 | No significant differences | #13 |
zinc supplementation | no change | Raven's Colored Progressive Matrices score | children aged 9 y | 21.4 to 22.4 | No significant differences | #14 |
iron plus zinc supplementation | no change | Raven's Colored Progressive Matrices score | children aged 9 y | 21.4 to 22.4 | No significant differences | #15 |
BACKGROUND: Iron and zinc are important micronutrients for child growth and development. One would expect that iron and zinc supplementation in infancy would affect long-term cognitive development and school achievement, but this has not been evaluated. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effect of iron or zinc supplementation or both during infancy on cognitive performance 8 y later. DESIGN: A follow-up study was performed in 560 children aged 9 y or 92% of those who had participated in a randomized controlled trial involving 4 groups who received daily iron, zinc, iron plus zinc, or a placebo at 4-6 mo of age for 6 mo. Cognitive performance was assessed by using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Third Edition (Thai version), the Raven's Colored Progressive Matrices (CPM), and school performance tests. General linear mixed models were used to assess long-term effects. RESULTS: No significant differences in any of the outcomes at 9 y of age were observed at follow-up between the 4 groups. Mean intelligence quotients ranged across groups from 92.9 to 93.7 for full scale, 93.9-95.4 for verbal, and 93.1-94.0 for performance. The Raven's CPM score ranged from 21.4 to 22.4. CONCLUSION: Supplementation with iron or zinc or both during infancy does not lead to long-term cognitive improvement in 9-y-old children. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00824304.