Table 3 |
||||
|
Meta-analysis, subgrouping by age group. SMD analysis of the effect of iron supplementation on cognitive domains |
||||
|
Cognitive domain |
Age group |
Standardised mean difference (95% CI) |
Number of participants/studies |
Heterogeneity - I2 test |
|
|
||||
|
Attention & concentration |
Children aged 6-18 |
0.62 (0.26 to 0.98)* |
132/2 (4 arms)** |
0% |
|
|
||||
|
Pre-menopausal women |
0.53 (-0.06 to 1.12) |
47/1 |
Not relevant |
|
|
|
||||
|
Intelligence |
Children aged 6-18 |
0.02 (-0.22 to 0.27) |
2289/4 (9 arms)** |
82% |
|
|
||||
|
Pre-menopausal women |
0.62 (0.15 to 1.10)* |
76/2 |
0% |
|
|
|
||||
|
Memory |
Children aged 6-18 |
0.33 (-0.19 to 0.85) |
132/2 (4 arms)** |
35% |
|
|
||||
|
Pre-menopausal women |
0.09 (-0.31 to 0.50) |
123/3 |
18% |
|
|
|
||||
|
Psychomotor |
Children aged 6-18 |
0.19 (-0.17 to 0.54) |
132/2 (4 arms)** |
0% |
|
|
||||
|
Pre-menopausal women |
0.09 (-0.32 to 0.50) |
123/3 |
21% |
|
|
|
||||
|
Scholastic aptitude |
Children aged 6-18 |
0.03 (-0.63 to 0.69) |
1799/3 (6 arms)** |
96% |
|
|
||||
|
Pre-menopausal women |
0.77 (-0.08 to 1.62) |
25/1 |
Not relevant |
|
|
|
||||
|
* p < 0.05 ** Two studies included 3 sets of participants defined by baseline iron status [15,24], and two further studies included 2 sets of participants defined by baseline iron status [21,23], these arms were entered separately into the meta-analysis. |
||||
|
Falkingham et al. Nutrition Journal 2010 9:4 doi:10.1186/1475-2891-9-4 |
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