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Behavior of Infants with Iron‐Deficiency Anemia
Author(s) -
Lozoff Betsy,
Klein Nancy K.,
Nelson Edward C.,
McClish Donna K.,
Manuel Martin,
Chacon Maria Elena
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
child development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.103
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1467-8624
pISSN - 0009-3920
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-8624.1998.tb06130.x
Subject(s) - iron deficiency anemia , iron deficiency , anemia , psychology , pleasure , developmental psychology , social isolation , affect (linguistics) , physiology , pediatrics , psychiatry , medicine , neuroscience , communication
This study tested the hypothesis that infants with iron‐deficiency anemia show behaviors, such as increased proximity to caregivers, increased wariness or hesitance, and decreased activity, that could contribute to “functional isolation.” The behavior of 52 Costa Rican 12‐ to 23‐month‐old infants with iron‐deficiency anemia was contrasted with that of 139 comparison group infants with better iron status during free play and mental and motor testing and in the home. Infants with iron‐deficiency anemia maintained closer contact with caregivers; showed less pleasure and delight; were more wary, hesitant, and easily tired; made fewer attempts at test items; were less attentive to instructions and demonstrations; and were less playful. Adult behavior also differed. The results indicate that iron‐deficiency anemia in infancy is associated with alterations in affect and activity, suggesting that functional isolation is a useful framework for understanding poorer developmental outcome in iron‐deficiency anemia, the world's most common single nutrient deficiency.