The effects of oral iron supplementation on cognition in older children and adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In observational studies anaemia and iron deficiency are associated with cognitive deficits, suggesting that iron supplementation may improve cognitive function. However, due to the potential for confounding by socio-economic status in observational studies, this needs to be verified in data from randomised controlled trials (RCTs).

Aim

To assess whether iron supplementation improved cognitive domains: concentration, intelligence, memory, psychomotor skills and scholastic achievement.

Methodology

Searches included MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsychINFO, Cochrane CENTRAL and bibliographies (to November 2008). Inclusion, data extraction and validity assessment were duplicated, and the meta-analysis used the standardised mean difference (SMD). Subgrouping, sensitivity ana

SUBMITTER: Falkingham M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2831810 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature