Anaemia and mental functions in rural primary school children

Abstract

Mental functions of 388 (6-8 years of age) rural primary school children matched for social and educational status were assessed in relation to anaemia and nutritional status. Malin's intelligence scale for Indian children and an arithmetic test were administered to assess intelligence, attention and concentration. No significant differences were found between the IQ scores of anaemic and non-anaemic groups, except for the subtest digit span. In contrast, there was an effect of nutritinal status on IQ scores. Observations on the arithmetic test showed that anaemia is associated with lower levels of attention and concentration.