Aim: To assess the effects of iron deficiency on developmental test scores in infants. Methods: This prospective, single‐blind, controlled clinical intervention study was made on 108 children aged 6–30 mo who applied to our paediatric outpatient clinic. The cases were classified as control (n= 31, haemoglobin ± 11 g/dl, serum ferritin >12 μg/l, MCV ± 70 fl), non‐anaemic iron deficiency (NAID, n= 40, haemoglobin ± 11 g/dl, serum ferritin ± 12 μg/l, MCV ± 70 fl) and iron deficiency anaemia (IDA, n= 37, haemoglobin < 11 g/dl, ferritin ± 12 μg/l, MCV >70 fl) due to their anaemia status. In each group, MCV, haemoglobin and ferritin levels were measured, and Denver Developmental Screening Test (DDST) and Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID‐I) were administered before and after a 3‐mo follow‐up. IDA and about half of the NAID subjects were treated with oral iron for 3 mo. Results: Subjects with iron deficiency showed significantly lower developmental test scores both with BSID‐I and DDST‐II compared to their iron‐sufficient peers (p < 0.05). After 3 mo of iron treatment, lower mental developmental test scores were no longer observed among the IDA and NAID groups whose anaemia and iron deficiency were also corrected. No significant differences were found between control NAID and control IDA groups on DGTT‐II results after treatment. The difference in motor and mental developmental scores did not appear to depend on environmental and family factors considered in the analyses. Conclusion: These findings support the conclusions that iron deficiency may cause lower mental and motor test scores in infants and these adverse effects can be improved by iron therapy.

Objective: To investigate plasma concentrations of S100B (a calcium-binding protein derived primarily from the glia) and inflammatory cytokines in children with autism and the relationship between S100B and cytokine concentrations. Methods: Plasma levels of S100B, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a), interferon gamma, interleukin (IL)-1b, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-17A were measured in 40 unmedicated children with autism and 35 normally developing healthy children. The severity of autism was assessed using the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS). Results: Concentrations of both S100B and TNF-a were higher in children with autism before and after adjusting for a priori-selected confounders (age, sex, and body mass index). S100B concentrations were higher in children with severe autism compared to children with mild-moderate autism. However, this association remained as a trend after adjusting for confounders. S100B concentrations correlated positively with TNF-a concentrations. Conclusion: Our findings showing an increase in peripheral concentrations of S100B and TNF-a provide limited support to the hypothesis about the roles of altered immune function and S100B in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Studies of larger numbers of well-characterized individuals with ASD are needed to clarify the potential role of the immune system in the pathophysiology of this disorder.

The favorable results of this open-label study should be interpreted with caution due to the uncontrolled nature of the study. Spontaneous waxing and waning of symptoms should also be considered. Further controlled studies are required.

Behavior problems are common in children with FC from an early age. Low level of education and high psychological distress of the mothers seem to be important risk factors for constipation and should be assessed carefully in the management of these cases.

The increase in some immune system parameters and the decrease in several others, suggests a dysregulation of the immune system related to trauma in adolescents. Dysregulation of the immune system is known to cause autoimmune and chronic disease.