Prevalence of iron deficiency and related factors in Spanish adolescents

Impact of Iron Intake and Reserves on Cognitive Function in Young University Students

Iron is a key nutrient for cognitive function. During periods of high academic demand, brain and cognitive activity increase, potentially affecting iron intake and reserves. The present study aimed to investigate the impact of iron levels on cognitive function in a university sample, considering the influence of gender. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 132 university students (18-29 years) from the University of Castilla-La Mancha (Spain). A dietary record was formed through a questionnaire to analyze iron consumption, and blood and anthropometric parameters were measured. The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-IV was used to determine the Intelligence Quotient (IQ), as well as the Verbal Comprehension Index (VCI), Working Memory Index (WMI), Processing Speed Index (PSI), and Perceptual Reasoning Index (PRI), to assess cognitive abilities. Among women, the prevalence of iron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) was 21% and 4.2%, respectively. No ID or IDA was found in men. The impact of iron intake on IQ and cognitive abilities was mainly associated with the female population, where a positive association between iron intake, serum ferritin, and total IQ was revealed. In conclusion, low iron intake is related to poorer intellectual ability, suggesting that an iron-rich diet is necessary to maintain the academic level of university students.

Lactoferrin versus iron hydroxide polymaltose complex for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia in children with cerebral palsy: a randomized controlled trial

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is common among children with cerebral palsy (CP), and studies on the efficacy of lactoferrin (Lf) in the treatment of IDA are limited. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of Lf with that of iron hydroxide polymaltose complex (IPC) in the treatment of IDA in children with CP. This randomized controlled study, conducted at Alexandria University Children's Hospital, enrolled 70 children aged 1-10 years with CP and IDA; 35 children randomly received IPC, whereas the other 35 received Lf. Four children withdrew from the study; thus, only 66 children were analyzed (32 in the IPC group and 34 in the Lf group). At baseline, the hemoglobin level and other blood parameters were similar between the two intervention groups. After four weeks of treatment, both the IPC and Lf groups showed significant improvements in hemoglobin (Hb), serum ferritin (SF), serum iron, total iron-binding capacity, mean corpuscular volume, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin from baseline. Upon comparing the two treatment groups, adjusted mean Hb and SF changes in the Lf group were significantly higher than that of the IPC group (p =0.001and p= 0.033, respectively), and constipation was less likely to occur in the Lf group than the IPC group (p = 0.049 ).Conclusion: Lactoferrin is effective and superior to IPC as an oral iron replacement therapy in children with CP and IDA, as it has fewer side effects. What is Known: • Lactoferrin (LF) is a natural glycoprotein capable of treating iron deficiency anemia (IDA). • Studies on the efficacy of Lf in the treatment of IDA in children with cerebral palsy (CP) are limited. What is New? • This trial compared the efficacy of Lf and iron hydroxide polymaltose complex (IPC) as treatments of IDA in children with CP. • Lf is effective and even better than IPC as a treatment of IDA in children with CP, as it has fewer side effects.

Prevalence of Anemia in Adolescent Girls attending Specific Schools of Kavrepalanchok, Nepal

Introduction:

Adolescents comprise individuals in the age group 10 to 19 who are undergoing a period of gradual transition of growth and development. Adolescent girls are at high risk of anemia and malnutrition. This research has been aimed to find the prevalence of anemia in adolescent girls attending specific schools of Panchkhal municipality in Kavrepalanchowk in Nepal.

Methods:

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in one government and one private school of Panchkhal Municipality of Kavre district in adolescent girls of age 10 to 19 from December 2017 to April 2018 attending grade five till ten in the field practice area of a medical college. After ethical approval, anthropometric measurements of height, weight, and blood were taken for hemoglobin estimation. Descriptive analysis was done in Microsoft excel 2016.

Results:

Out of 95 adolescent girls, fourteen (14.74%) adolescent girls were anemic. The mean age was 13.35±1.629 years, mean height and weight were 1.58m and 44.11kg, respectively.

Conclusions:

This study shows a lower prevalence of anemia than reported by national data, but it is higher than that reported by developed countries. Anemia and undernutrition have long terms detrimental effects on adolescent girls, so health education and prevention is necessary.