الفهرس 
Erythropoiesi sOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional problem, affecting all age groups and all socio-economic levels of the society. It is a common disease in Egypt, with a high prevalence rate.
The aim of this study was to find the prevalence of iron deficiency in the area of study. The study also aimed to find the effect of iron deficiency on the growth, and the cognitive functions of school children aged 7 – 12 years.
The study was conducted on 1000 children aged 7-12 years in primary schools in EL Kassasin district in EL-Ismailia governorate chosen as a random sample. All children were subjected to full history talking, anthropometric parameters, stool examination, estimation of hemoglobin concentration, serum iron, and assessment of cognitive functions.
Our results showed that the prevalence of iron deficiency was 51.3% among the primary school children in El-Kassasin district, 68.62% of them were iron deficient anemics (IDA) (35.2% of study population) and this is high prevalence.
The children were classified according to the results of serum iron in to iron deficient and non iron deficient groups.
Our results showed that there were no statistically significant differences between iron deficient and non iron deficient groups as regards age or gender (P > 0.05).
On comparing the anthropometric parameters of children, there were a statistically significant differences regarding weight (P < 0.01) but were no statistically insignificant differences regarding height (P > 0.05) between the iron deficient and non iron deficient children (P < 0.01).
We found that iron deficient children had higher heart rate than non-iron deficient children (P < 0.01). There was no statistically significant difference between iron deficient and non iron deficient groups as regards the systolic and diastolic blood pressure (P > 0.05).
Our data showed that children with parasitic infestations showed a higher frequency of iron deficiency compared to children free from parasitic infestations and his difference was highly statistically significant (P < 0.001). Similarly, children with parasitic infestation had lower Hb, SI, and cognitive functions and higher TIBC.
In our study Pallor occurred more commonly in iron deficient children. This difference was statistically significant (P < 0.01).
Our results showed that there was no statistically significant difference between iron deficient and non iron deficient groups as regards the presence of pityrasis alba (P > 0.05).
Our data showed that there were a statistically significant difference between the iron and non iron deficient groups as regards the cognitive functions of students, and this difference was also highly statistically significant in iron deficient anemic (IDA) children (P < 0.001). Similarly, children with impaired cognition had significantly lower values for Hb, SI, and higher values for TIBC.
from this study we concluded the following :
Iron deficient group are more prone to weight retardation and cognitive impairement. This may attributed to either the low haemoglobin levels and reduced supply of oxygen to brain, or the effect of iron deficiency on a number of enzymes that are iron dependent and control signals transmission in the brain.
Iron deficiency is more common in children who do not consume breakfast, have chronic disease or have parasitic infestation.