Iron – Its Importance in Child Development

Iron - Its Importance in Child Development

Iron is one of the body's most precious minerals. Iron is vital to the process by which our bodies generate the energy we need to undertake everyday activities. Not having enough iron in the body can make us feel tired, listless and apathetic.

Iron also plays an important role in the development of the brain during the early years impacting on behaviour and intelligence. In children, the consequences of iron deficiency are severe, potentially affecting behaviour and normal intellectual development.

Optimal nutrition is also important for maintaining immunity. Iron plays an important role in the immune system and a lack of iron can weaken the immune response. This means that people with iron deficiency are less able to fight infection so may become ill more frequently than those who have healthy iron levels.

What does iron do in the body?

Energy

Iron has several key roles in the body. Iron is part of the protein haemoglobin - the oxygen carrying component of red blood cells - delivering oxygen from the lungs to the tissues and organs. Another important role of iron is transporting the oxygen within cells, where it is used to help produce energy. Iron, and the oxygen it delivers, helps every cell in the body produce the energy we need to be active. Iron is a vital nutrient for the optimal performance of all cells in the body including those of the immune system. As a result, iron deficiency impairs the strength and functioning of specific aspects of the immune system.

Brain development

Iron also plays an important role in the development and functioning of the brain. It is a vital building block of neurotransmitters - chemicals which transmit information around the brain and nervous system.

Iron is also used to build myelin, the insulation which surrounds the neurons in the brain. Myelin is needed to enable the messages within the brain to travel faster.

Immune System

Iron plays a critical role in the optimal functioning of the immune system. Iron deficiency impairs the strength and numbers of immune cells. Iron deficiency also results in a weakening of the thymus, an important organ of the immune system where many immune cells are made.

Protein synthesis (making new body tissue) has been shown to be impaired with iron deficiency which can affect the production of some important immune cells.

Overall, iron deficiency reduces the power of our immune response and our resistance to infection.

What effect does iron deficiency have on behaviour and child development?

A lack of iron not only reduces energy levels, it also directly affects behaviour, mood, attention span and learning ability. A child who is iron deficient is tired, restless and may find it difficult to pay attention. Infants with iron-deficient anaemia have been described as wary and irritable. With reduced energy available for everyday activities like playing and learning, children may appear unmotivated and apathetic.

Evidence suggests that the occurrence of iron deficiency anaemia in infancy is associated with impaired development of normal co-ordination skills, intellectual development and behaviour. The severity of these deficits and whether or not they are reversible is related to the severity and duration of the iron deficiency. It is advisable to promote optimal iron status by providing a healthy diet throughout childhood to support normal development.

What is iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia?

Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency in the world, affecting more people than any other nutritional condition. Iron deficiency occurs in all countries and affects all types of people - young and old, male and female, both rich and poor. Most vulnerable are children aged 6 - 24 months, adolescents, and women of child bearing age, especially pregnant women.

Depleted iron stores and iron deficiency without anaemia are mild and moderate forms of iron deficiency. In this state the body's iron stores have been depleted. Iron deficiency anaemia refers to the severe end of the spectrum of iron deficiency. In iron deficiency anaemia, the body iron stores are severely depleted and hemoglobin concentration is low.

When the body does not have enough iron it cannot make enough hemoglobin to create healthy red blood cells. In a state of iron deficiency the red blood cells are smaller and a lighter red than normal. These smaller cells cannot carry enough oxygen from the lungs to the tissues and the production of energy in the cells is reduced. As a result people with iron deficiency anaemia feel fatigued and weak, they also experience headaches and feelings of apathy.

Are children at particular risk of iron deficiency?

The highest risk of iron deficiency occurs during times of rapid growth and nutritional demand. Children aged 6-24 months are especially vulnerable because they have high iron requirements in relation to their energy intakes. The rapidly growing weaning infant has to rely on dietary iron to meet these high requirements for growth.

It is thought that there is a critical period of development during the first 2-3 years of life that requires adequate iron nutrition for 'normal' development. Deficiency during this critical period could have long term implications. Unfortunately this early period when infants have high iron requirements coincides with a period when iron deficiency is widespread.

Food sources of iron

There are two kinds of dietary iron: haeme iron and non-haeme iron. Haeme iron is obtained from meat, poultry and fish. Non-haeme iron is obtained from cereals, pulses, legumes, fruits and vegetables.

The average absorption of iron from meat-containing meals is about 25%. Absorption of haeme iron can vary from 40% during iron deficiency to about 10% during normal iron status. The absorption of non-haeme iron is influenced by your iron status and components of the diet you eat.

Consumption of foods rich in iron and vitamin C, an iron absorption enhancer, will help improve and maintain your child's iron status.

Dietary factors in the bioavailability of iron

Some dietary components inhibit iron absorption. To help promote maximum absorption, try to avoid eating these at the same time as iron-rich foods:

• Phytates and fibres found in whole grains
• Tannins in tea, coffee and wine

Some dietary components help to promote the absorption of iron. Eat these at the same time as iron-containing foods:

• Meat, fish and poultry contain special factors which help promote absorption
• Vitamin C when consumed at the same meal

How much iron do children need?

The amount of iron a child needs depends on their age, gender and stage of growth. Recommended daily iron intakes for children are:

Milk doesn't naturally contain much iron. However, some milks, such as Anchor 1+, Anchor 3+ and Anchor Family Milk are fortified with additional iron to help ensure that young children get enough for proper growth and development.

Click here to take our iron quiz and find out if your kids are getting enough.