Supplemental Iron Improves Motor Development in Infants

Iron supplementation in the first year (but not during pregnancy) was associated with enhanced motor milestones at 9 months of age.

Iron deficiency in infants is associated with suboptimal motor development, but whether iron supplementation during infancy or pregnancy improves motor development remains unclear.

In a randomized, controlled trial, 1196 term infants received either oral iron supplementation (1 mg/kg elemental iron) or placebo between ages 6 weeks and 9 months. The participants were children of mothers in a rural community in China who had been randomized to take either a folate/iron or folate/placebo supplement during pregnancy. Iron status in mothers and infants was measured by serum ferritin or zinc protoporphyrin/heme. Gross motor development, neurological integrity, and motor performance were measured with standardized tests at 9 months. More than 80% o…

Reviewing Author

Martin T. Stein, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardPearson Neuroscience Advisory Board

Speaker’s bureauAmerican Academy of Pediatrics

RoyaltiesElsevier, Inc.

Editorial boardsJournal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics