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INTRODUCTION In undeveloped countries such as Peru there is a high prevalence of ferropenic anemia. In addition, iron deficiency produces cognitive alterations that could be corrected by iron treatment. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of administration of heme iron-fortified cookies on the intellectual status of preschool children. PATIENTS AND METHODS Using the Goodenough-Harris Test (GHT) and Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI) we studied the intellectual status of 53 children who received heme iron-fortified cookies for 6-8 weeks and 55 controls without fortification, in 2 occasions (before and after intervention). RESULTS We observed a significantly higher improvement in children who received iron respect to controls for GHT score (p < 0.001), WPPSI score (p < 0.05), WPPSI attention-concentration subscale (p < 0.01) and WPPSI pure attention subscale (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION Administration of heme iron-fortified cookies may improve the intellectual performance of low-income preschool children. |
