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Dimas-Benedicto C, Albasanz JL, Bermejo LM, Castro-Vázquez L, Sánchez-Melgar A, Martín M, Martínez-García RM. Impact of Iron Intake and Reserves on Cognitive Function in Young University Students. Nutrients 2024; 16:2808. [PMID: 39203944 DOI: 10.3390/nu16162808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2024] [Revised: 08/19/2024] [Accepted: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 09/03/2024] Open
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Dimas-Benedicto
- NUTRI-SAF Research Group, Departamento de Enfermería, Fisioterapia y Terapia Ocupacional, Facultad de Enfermería, University of Castilla-La Mancha, 16071 Cuenca, Spain
| | - José Luis Albasanz
- GNCR Research Group, Departamento de Química Inorgánica, Orgánica y Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina de Ciudad Real, Instituto de Biomedicina de la UCLM, IDISCAM, University of Castilla-La Mancha, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Laura M Bermejo
- VALORNUT Research Group, Departamento de Nutrición y Ciencias de los Alimentos, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- San Carlos Health Research Institute (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Lucía Castro-Vázquez
- NUTRI-SAF Research Group, Departamento de Química Analítica y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Facultad de Farmacia, University of Castilla-La Mancha, 02071 Albacete, Spain
| | - Alejandro Sánchez-Melgar
- GNCR Research Group, Departamento de Química Inorgánica, Orgánica y Bioquímica, Facultad de Enfermeria de Ciudad Real, Instituto de Biomedicina de la UCLM, IDISCAM, University of Castilla-La Mancha, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Mairena Martín
- GNCR Research Group, Departamento de Química Inorgánica, Orgánica y Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina de Ciudad Real, Instituto de Biomedicina de la UCLM, IDISCAM, University of Castilla-La Mancha, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain
- GNCR Research Group, Departamento de Química Inorgánica, Orgánica y Bioquímica, Facultad de Enfermeria de Ciudad Real, Instituto de Biomedicina de la UCLM, IDISCAM, University of Castilla-La Mancha, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Rosa M Martínez-García
- NUTRI-SAF Research Group, Departamento de Enfermería, Fisioterapia y Terapia Ocupacional, Facultad de Enfermería, University of Castilla-La Mancha, 16071 Cuenca, Spain
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Omar OM, Assem H, Ahmed D, Abd Elmaksoud MS. Lactoferrin versus iron hydroxide polymaltose complex for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia in children with cerebral palsy: a randomized controlled trial. Eur J Pediatr 2021; 180:2609-2618. [PMID: 34101010 DOI: 10.1007/s00431-021-04125-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omneya M Omar
- Department of Pediatrics, Metabolism and Nutrition Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.
| | - Hala Assem
- Department of Pediatrics, Hematology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Doaa Ahmed
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Marwa S Abd Elmaksoud
- Department of Pediatrics, Neurology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
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Budhathoki L, Shrestha B, Phuyal N, Shrestha L. Prevalence of Anemia in Adolescent Girls attending Specific Schools of Kavrepalanchok, Nepal. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 59:284-287. [PMID: 34506433 PMCID: PMC8369535 DOI: 10.31729/jnma.6330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lee Budhathoki
- Department of Community Medicine, Nepalese Army Institute of Health Sciences, Sanobharyang, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Bikal Shrestha
- Department of Community Medicine, Nepalese Army Institute of Health Sciences, Sanobharyang, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Naveen Phuyal
- Department of Community Medicine, Nepalese Army Institute of Health Sciences, Sanobharyang, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Lochana Shrestha
- Department of Community Medicine, Nepalese Army Institute of Health Sciences, Sanobharyang, Kathmandu, Nepal
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