The Effect of Iron Deficiency on Intelligence Quotient in Eight- to Eleven-Year-Old Students of Zanjan, Iran

Abstract

Background: Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutrient defeciencies in the world. Iron plays an important role in the central nervous system. The aim of this study was to identify the association of iron deficiency with IQ level of students. Methods: In this case control study, 289 randomly selected students aged eight to eleven years old were tested for iron, TIBC, Hb, and RBC indices. Iron deficient patients were referred to a psychologist to determine their IQ level with the Raven test. The IQ level of children with Iron deficiency was compared with a normal student randomly chosen and matched by age, gender, and socioeconomic status. Results: Sixty patients had a Fe/TIBC ratio of less than 15%. The frequency of iron deficiency was 20.7%. There was no significant differences in the frequency of iron deficiency between males and females. A significant difference was not found in the IQ level between cases and controls. Conclusions: The IQ of cases and controls did not differ significantly. It seems that there was still controversies regarding the effects of IQ and iron deficiency.