biostudies-literatureEast PLEunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human DevelopmentNICHD NIH HHSNHLBI NIH HHSNational Heart, Lung, and Blood InstituteEunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health &amp; Human Development259-270https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC8918441biostudies-literatureUnknown52(2)<h4>Objective</h4>To determine whether iron deficiency in infancy is associated with sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) or attention-deficit/hyperactive-impulsive (AD-HI) symptoms in childhood and adolescence, and whether such behaviors contribute concurrently and predictively to lower verbal and mathematical abilities.<h4>Method</h4>Chilean children (<i>N</i> = 959; 50% male, of Spanish or indigenous descent from working-class backgrounds) were rated by mothers for SCT or AD-HI symptoms at ages 5, 10, and 16 years. Children completed standardized tests assessing verbal and mathematical abilities at ages 5, 10, and 16. At ages 12 and 18 months, children were assessed for iron deficiency.<h4>Results</h4>Adjusting for a comprehensive panel of covariates, greater severity of iron deficiency in infancy was associated with more frequent SCT and AD-HI symptoms at all ages studied. Most effects of iron deficiency on children's verbal and math skills were indirect, mediated through AD-HI behaviors. Children's AD-HI symptoms related to lower verbal and math test scores within age and across age.<h4>Conclusions</h4>The long-term associations found between infant iron deficiency and SCT and AD-HI behaviors suggest that the neurodevelopmental alterations that stem from postnatal iron deficiency might play an etiological role in the development of ADHD. Screening for early-life nutritional deficiencies among children with SCT or ADHD symptoms might prove useful, and behavioral screening of children with a history of iron deficiency seems warranted. Interventions that support brain development after early nutritional deprivation also would be beneficial.Journal of clinical child and adolescent psychology : the official journal for the Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, American Psychological Association, Division 53Iron Deficiency in Infancy and Sluggish Cognitive Tempo and ADHD Symptoms in Childhood and Adolescence.PMC8918441R01-HL-088530; K01-HL-143159R01-HD033487K01 HL143159R03-HD-097295R01-HD-033487R03-HD097295R01 HL088530R01 HD033487R03 HD097295Doom JRGahagan SEast PLLozoff BBlanco EBurrows RfalseIron Deficiency in Infancy and Sluggish Cognitive Tempo and ADHD Symptoms in Childhood and Adolescence.<h4>Objective</h4>To determine whether iron deficiency in infancy is associated with sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) or attention-deficit/hyperactive-impulsive (AD-HI) symptoms in childhood and adolescence, and whether such behaviors contribute concurrently and predictively to lower verbal and mathematical abilities.<h4>Method</h4>Chilean children (<i>N</i> = 959; 50% male, of Spanish or indigenous descent from working-class backgrounds) were rated by mothers for SCT or AD-HI symptoms at ages 5, 10, and 16 years. Children completed standardized tests assessing verbal and mathematical abilities at ages 5, 10, and 16. At ages 12 and 18 months, children were assessed for iron deficiency.<h4>Results</h4>Adjusting for a comprehensive panel of covariates, greater severity of iron deficiency in infancy was associated with more frequent SCT and AD-HI symptoms at all ages studied. Most effects of iron deficiency on children's verbal and math skills were indirect, mediated through AD-HI behaviors. Children's AD-HI symptoms related to lower verbal and math test scores within age and across age.<h4>Conclusions</h4>The long-term associations found between infant iron deficiency and SCT and AD-HI behaviors suggest that the neurodevelopmental alterations that stem from postnatal iron deficiency might play an etiological role in the development of ADHD. Screening for early-life nutritional deficiencies among children with SCT or ADHD symptoms might prove useful, and behavioral screening of children with a history of iron deficiency seems warranted. Interventions that support brain development after early nutritional deprivation also would be beneficial.2023-01-01T00:00:00Z2023 Mar-Apr2025-04-18T16:57:41.767Z2025-04-07T04:28:14.757ZS-EPMC89184413451959910.1080/15374416.2021.1969653