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The prevalence of iron deficiency among toddlers in the U.S. has decreased (to about 8%), but iron deficiency with or without anemia is associated with abnormal neurodevelopment. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends universal screening for iron deficiency anemia at age 12 months and targeted screening for iron deficiency without anemia in high-risk children (including low-income children). However, available screening tests have limitations. Researchers explored zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) as a screen for iron deficiency in 2612 children at a hospital-based clinic serving an ethnically diverse, largely low-income population. The children were tested for complete blood count, blood lead level, and ZPP at mean ages of 10 and 20 m…