The goal of this observational study is to explore the relationship between iron-deficiency anemia and neurobehavioral development in children aged 6-24 months. This study focuses on children who undergo health check-ups and blood tests at pediatric health clinics in Pingshan District, Shenzhen, China.
The main questions it aims to answer are:
How does iron-deficiency anemia affect children's neurobehavioral development, including motor skills, language ability, and social behavior? How does anemia influence growth and nutrition, such as weight, height, and body mass index (BMI) in children?
Participants will:
Undergo blood tests (including hemoglobin levels, serum ferritin, and serum iron) to assess anemia status.
Be assessed using the "Neuropsychological Behavioral Development Scale for Children Aged 0-6" to measure motor, cognitive, language, and social development.
Provide general health information, such as birth history, feeding methods, and parental details, through interviews with trained surveyors.
Researchers will compare children with and without iron-deficiency anemia to determine differences in neurobehavioral outcomes and development levels. The findings aim to provide evidence for early interventions to prevent the negative impacts of anemia and support children's healthy development.
Children aged 6 to 24 months at the time of enrollment
Diagnosed with iron-deficiency anemia (for the exposure group) or confirmed
non-anemic status (for the control group) based on blood test results
Resident in the study area for at least 6 months prior to enrollment
Presence of congenital or chronic illnesses that could affect
neurodevelopment, such as Down syndrome or cerebral palsy.
History of severe infections or trauma within 3 months prior to enrollment that
could influence neurodevelopmental outcomes