Iron deficiency and neurologic disease in children

Iron deficiency is a frequent disorder and a public health problem especially in children and pregnant women. The clinical manifestations are varied, and the most dreaded are neurologic. These neurologic manifestations are often missed as differential diagnosis in current clinical practice. The authors review iron metabolism in the brain and the basic mechanisms underlying neurologic machanisms in iron deficiency states. It is hoped that better understanding of these manifestations will reinforce implementation of preventive mesures of iron deficiency in children and pregnant women, who are the most vulnerable. Clinics in Mother and Child Health Vol. 1(2) 2004: 125-12