A review of studies of iron supplementation (including oral or parenteral administration, fortified formula milk or cereals) found it has a beneficial effect on mental development, in particular for intelligence scores (IQ) in children 7 years or older, and in those who are initially anemic or iron-deficient anemic. The studies were grouped and analyzed in terms of mental or intelligence scores and motor development outcomes. Using a variety of scoring methods and putting all the results of the studies together, cognitive development was significantly improved by iron supplementation of children particularly in ages over 7 or those with a previous documented iron deficiency. There was no evidence to prove iron supplements improved cognitive development for children under age 27 months. However, the data showed no significant effect on motor development nor were there benefits observed in terms of psychomotor development and Bayley Psychomotor Development Index scores. (35)
