Iron deficiency anemia in infancy and reach and grasp development.
This study assessed 9 kinematic characteristics of infants' reach and grasp to test the hypothesis that iron deficiency anemia (IDA) delays upper extremity motor development. Reach and grasp movements, recorded with a 3D-motion capture system, were compared in 9- to 10-month-old infants (4 IDA vs. 5 iron-sufficient [IS]). Based on normative motor development data available for 6 characteristics, the results indicated poorer upper extremity control in IDA infants: 2 characteristics showed statistically significant group differences despite small n, and the other 4 had strong indications for such results (effect sizes [Cohen's d]>1.2). The remaining 3 measures, for which normative studies do not show developmental changes in this age period, showed significant or moderate-to-large effect differences. Poorer upper-extremity control in IDA infants in the short-term in this study and in the long-term despite iron therapy in other studies suggests that a motor intervention may be warranted when IDA is detected in infancy.
Shafir
Tal
T
The Molecular & Behavioral Neuroscience Institute (MBNI), University of Michigan, 205 Zina Pitcher Pl, Rm 1066, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0720, USA. gahl@umich.edu
Angulo-Barroso
Rosa
R
Su
Jing
J
Jacobson
Sandra W
SW
Lozoff
Betsy
B
D001741:Black or African American; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology; D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology*; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D058085:Iron Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019266:Iron, Dietary; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000502:physiology; D014743:Videotape Recording
D058085:Iron Compounds; D019266:Iron, Dietary