Effect of zinc deficiency on cognitive function in females with iron deficiency anemia

Abstract

Iron deficiency and zinc deficiency are known to disturb cognitive functions especially in infants and preschool children. Our purpose was to evaluate the effect of zinc deficiency and iron deficiency on cognitive function (with Montreal Cognitive Assessment [MoCA] score) in females. We designed a randomized controlled prospective study. 41 iron deficient female patients and 40 healthy volunteers were involved in the study. The average MoCA score ± SD was 24,63 ± 4,3 (range 11–30) in iron deficiency anemia (IDA), and 27.43± 2.02 (23-30) in healthy volunteers. Zinc level was 97.06 (40.8–146.8) mg/dl and 257.5 (128.2–463.7) in IDA and healthy volunteers respectively. MoCA score (r= 0.803, p<0,01), were significantly correlated with Zinc level in iron deficient group. We found that there was a statistically important linear relationship between MoCA score and zinc level in female patients with iron deficiency anemia.