iron status and cognitive performance in adolescent females
abstract
study group from high schools in the thunder bay region (northwestern ontario). cognitive impairments have been associated with iron deficient anemic infants
and young children. the relationship in individuals with only a deficit in their iron stores
is less clear. adolescent females are particularly at risk for being iron deficient, however,
the research on the relationship between iron status and cognition in adolescent females is
limited. iron supplements have been frequently used to improve iron status and findings
suggest they may also improve cognitive impairments. the purpose of this study is to
examine the relationship between iron status and cognition in a group of canadian,
adolescent females. twenty-one, 14-16 year old, iron deficient (ferritin < 20 pg/1 and
hemoglobin > 120 g/1) but non-anemic adolescent females participated in an 8-week,
double blind, randomized controlled trial. one hundred milligrams of ferrous gluconate
(2 x 50 mg) was administered daily to participants randomly assigned to the active group
(n=12). ). the control group (n=9) was administered a placebo. participants completed
the trail making test a and b, motor free visual perception test-111, digit span, and
the covert orienting of visual attention task before and after the supplementation
period. a 3-day dietary analysis was also conducted pre and post treatment. cognitive
deficits were not apparent pre supplementation and performance was not significantly
different between the groups post supplementation. also, ferritin levels improved in both
groups. this study does not support previous findings of a relationship between low iron
status and cognitive impairment. the lack of cognitive impairment at the pre-test and the
difference between brain iron stores and systemic iron stores may be plausible
explanations for the failure to find a relationship between iron status and cognition in this
study.
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