This paper shows that iron deficiency anemia in infancy is a serious nutritional disorder with long-lasting consequences for behavioral development. Evidence is provided from studies on rats that iron deficiency during gestation or early postnatal life directly effects the brain, and early neurophysiologic data in humans also indicate a direct effect on the central nervous system.

BASED ON THE 1997 AVANELLE KIRKSEY LECTURE PRESENTED BY BETSY LOZOFF AT PURDUE UNIVERSITY

Lack of dietary iron is probably the most prevalent nutritional deficiency in developed and underdeveloped countries alike. Using data from more than 500 studies in different countries, De Maeyer and ...

<10 
 
  FEP(a) 
Group ([micro]g/d L)  MCV (fL) 
 
Normal (iron-sufficient)[is less than or  [is greater than 
   equal to] 30   or equal to] 70 
Iron-depleted   [is less than or  [is greater than 
   equal to] 30   or equal to] 70 
Iron-deficient>