The present study is to assess the effect of iron and zinc deficiency in children in the age group of 6-11 years with on short term memory and also to evaluate the response to supplementation therapy. 100 children in the age group of 6-11 years from an urban corporation school were selected. After collecting the demographic data, the children underwent haematological evaluation that included serum iron, serum zinc along with haemoglobin estimation. The children were divided into iron deficient, zinc deficient and combined deficiency groups based on the results. Verbal and nonverbal memory evaluation was also done in all the children. 2mg/kg body weight of iron in two divided doses along with 5mg zinc once-a-day supplementation for a period of 3 months was given in the deficient children group.

The results of the study reported that all children with iron and zinc deficiency in both the age groups had memory deficits. The combined deficiency of the 9-11 years group presented a severe degree of affectation in verbal and non-verbal memory and has shown improvement after supplementation of iron and zinc. In the 6-8 years of age group, only non-verbal form of memory was affected and was improved after zinc and iron supplementation.

Thus, the study concluded that iron and zinc deficiency is related with memory deficits in children. Also, there is a marked improvement observed in memory after supplementation of iron and zinc.

Source: Umamaheswari K, Bhaskaran M, Krishnamurthy G, Vasudevan H, Vasudevan K. Effect of iron and zinc deficiency on short term memory in children. Indian Pediatr. 2011 Apr;48(4):289-93. doi: 10.1007/s13312-011-0060-7. Epub 2010 Aug 1. PMID: 20972302.