Language disorders in children with iron deficiency anemia

Abstract

Introduction: Children suffering from Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA) have shown iron-deficiency associated with psychomotor and cognitive abnormalities and impact language and learning acquisition in children. Children of two years old also demonstrate a decrease in mental investment than non-anemic children, although there is an evident improvement once treatment started. This work aims to establish baseline data about the size and distribution of language disorders among kids with iron deficiency anemia. Method: This study carried out two groups: The (study group) included 25 children diagnosed with IDA. Compared to another group (control group), had 25 not diagnosed with IDA. According to the language assessment protocol, all children were assessed: Parents interview and history, audiological evaluation, Psychometric evaluation, Arabic Preschool Language Scale-4 "APLS-4 test, Mansoura Arabic Articulatory Test, Complete blood count (CBC), Serum iron and ferritin test. Results: A statistically significant difference between the study and the control group regarding the (receptive, expressive, and total) row scores. There was a positive fair significant correlation between the receptive and expressive language score and serum iron. Conclusion: There is evidence that children with Iron Deficiency Anemia show more deficient language development than normal children.