Effects of iron and n-3 fatty acid supplementation, alone and in combination, on cognition in school children: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled intervention in South Africa

Baumgartner, Jeannine; Smuts, Cornelius M.; Malan, Linda; Kvalsvig, Jane; Stuijvenberg, Martha E. van; Hurrell, Richard F.; Zimmermann, Michael

doi:10.3945/ajcn.112.041004

Cited by 90 publications

(114 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…This is consistent with the results of the household survey conducted in Sudan in 1994, which reported a prevalence of anaemia in preschool children in Sudan as 84.9% [13]. This [19][20][21][22].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

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Prevalence of anaemia in preschool children in Karma Albalad area, Northern State, Sudan

Hussein

Mohamed

2014

East Mediterr Health J

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Anaemia is a major childhood health problem in developing countries. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the prevalence of anaemia, and some of its determinants, in preschool children in a rural village in the Northern State of Sudan. All children aged 3-6 years attending the 4 village kindergartens on the day of the study were enrolled. Demographic and socioeconomic data were collected using a questionnaire completed by parents, and blood samples were taken for haemoglobin measurement. Out of 163 children, 131 had anaemia (haemoglobin level < 11 g/dL), a prevalence of 80.4%. This figure is comparable to data from other developing countries. The prevalence of anaemia was not significantly associated with any of the studied demographic and socioeconomic factors (sex, economic status of the family, mother's literacy or family size) or health of the child (history of pica or number of attacks of malaria in the last year). A campaign to tackle this serious health issue is urgently needed.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

“…Moreover, micronutrients such as iron and folic acid are likely to be inadequate in children's diets if parents are not well informed [2,9,10,11]. Anaemia is not only one of the leading causes of childhood mortality and morbidity [12], it may also affect cognitive development and school performance [13,14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence of anaemia in preschool children in Karma Albalad area, Northern State, Sudan

Hussein

Mohamed

2014

East Mediterr Health J

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“…Only few studies have investigated the effect of DHA supplementation on cognitive abilities in healthy children and the results are conflicting [11][12][13][14][15][16][17]. The NEMO study [11] included a total of 644 healthy children from Australia and Indonesia aged 6-10 years.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Some studies have examined the effect of DHA alone in randomized control trials [11][12][13][14][15][16]. Thus, the available evidence does not present a clear and coherent picture.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Thus, the available evidence does not present a clear and coherent picture. Three studies have shown a positive effect of DHA supplementation on some cognitive outcomes [15][16][17] one study has shown mixed results [14] while others report no effect [11][12][13]. In a recent meta-analysis, the effect of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid was evaluated on cognitive outcome and it was concluded that the supplementation may significantly improve cognitive development in infants, but does not improve cognitive performance in children, adults, or in the elderly [18].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Supplementation of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), vitamin D3 and uridine in combination with six weeks of cognitive and motor training in prepubescent children: a pilot study

et al. 2017

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Background: Learning and memory have been shown to be influenced by combination of dietary supplements and exercise in animal models, but there is little available evidence from human subjects. The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the effect of combining a motor-and cognitive exercise program with dietary supplementation consisting of 500 mg docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), 10 μg vitamin D 3 and 1000 mg uridine (DDU-supplement) in 16 prepubescent children (age 8-11 years).

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Novel interactions between iron and n‐3 fatty acids in cognition and immune function

2015

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Many children, particularly from low‐ and middle‐income countries, may suffer from both iron deficiency and inadequate omega‐3 fatty acid intake due to poor quality diets. Both, iron and omega‐3 fatty acids are important for the development and functioning of the brain and immune system. Using a translational research approach, we therefore investigated potential interactive effects of iron and omega‐3 fatty acid deficiencies and supplementation on cognition and immune‐related outcomes. Our results indicate that in children with iron deficiency and poor omega‐3 fatty acid intake, it may be crucial to administer iron in combination with omega‐3 long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids to ensure optimal cognition and immune function.

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Effects of iron and n-3 fatty acid supplementation, alone and in combination, on cognition in school children: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled intervention in South Africa

Cited by 90 publications

References 45 publications

Prevalence of anaemia in preschool children in Karma Albalad area, Northern State, Sudan

Prevalence of anaemia in preschool children in Karma Albalad area, Northern State, Sudan

Supplementation of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), vitamin D3 and uridine in combination with six weeks of cognitive and motor training in prepubescent children: a pilot study

Novel interactions between iron and n‐3 fatty acids in cognition and immune function

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