Title: The Association between iron deficiency anaemia and academic performance of children focusing on grade II pupils in the Winterveldt region, Tshwane North, South Africa
Authors: Hlatshwayo, Bongiwe P. S.
Abstract: ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) is the most common
nutritional disorder in the developing world. A large number of children under the age of 5 years
do not reach their developmental potential, IDA and iron deficiency being well documented risk
factors. IDA has been shown to be an important cause for decreased attention span, reduced
alertness and learning difficulties in both young children and adolescents. South Africa has a
growing burden of anaemia and iron deficiency and the most affected areas are the poor
communities. There is vast evidence on the negative effects of iron deficiency to a child's
developing brain from studies done internationally but limited data on the subject in South Africa,
despite the huge burden of iron deficiency. We investigated the association between IDA and
school performance and intelligence and also determined the local prevalence of IDA in the
Winterveldt region, North of Tshwane, South Africa.
METHODS: Three primary schools from Winterveldt were sampled. All subjects with parental
consent were screened for anaemia using Hemocue 201+ Hb meter (n=194). Blood for iron studies
and CRP was collected on all anaemic pupils (n=75) to define IDA (Hb
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