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Running low on iron?
11 février 2026
By Ana Espino | Published on February 11, 2026 | 3 min readIron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the most common form of anemia in children, resulting from a lack of iron, a key element in erythropoiesis and neurological development. Among school-aged children (5–12 years), this deficiency is linked to reduced cognitive performance, weakened immunity, and poorer academic outcomes, with potentially long-
By Ana Espino | Published on February 11, 2026 | 3 min read
Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the most common form of anemia in children, resulting from a lack of iron, a key element in erythropoiesis and neurological development. Among school-aged children (5–12 years), this deficiency is linked to reduced cognitive performance, weakened immunity, and poorer academic outcomes, with potentially long-lasting effects on human capital.
Despite these consequences, IDA management in this age group remains largely insufficient. Current prevention and treatment strategies focus mainly on iron supplementation and food fortification, but they prioritize children under five and pregnant women. Moreover, the lack of reliable global epidemiological data, variability in diagnostic criteria, and insufficient use of inflammatory biomarkers limit both accurate identification of affected children and the effectiveness of interventions.
Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the most common form of anemia in children, resulting from a lack of iron, a key element in erythropoiesis and neurological development. Among school-aged children (5–12 years), this deficiency is linked to reduced cognitive performance, weakened immunity, and poorer academic outcomes, with potentially long-lasting effects on human capital.
Despite these consequences, IDA management in this age group remains largely insufficient. Current prevention and treatment strategies focus mainly on iron supplementation and food fortification, but they prioritize children under five and pregnant women. Moreover, the lack of reliable global epidemiological data, variability in diagnostic criteria, and insufficient use of inflammatory biomarkers limit both accurate identification of affected children and the effectiveness of interventions.
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Scientific reference
Sukwuttichai P, et al. Global prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia among children aged 5-12 years: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Glob Health. 2026 Jan 23;16:04027
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