Analysis of relevant between iron metabolism indexes and intelligence quotient for primary school students in Dongxiang Nationality and Han Nationality of Gansu

Abstract

Objective To investigate the correlation between iron metabolism index and intelligence development of Dongxiang and Han students in Dongxiang county and Lanzhou city of Gansu province. Methods A total of 396 students aged from 6 to 11 years old were randomly selected for venous blood collection from two primary schools with Dongxiang and Han children in Dongxiang county and Lanzhou city.Blood routine and serum iron metabolism indicators were detected and iron metabolism indicators from different ethnic groups were analyzed.Students diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia(IDA) named as IDA group, and students without IDA who had similar background were enrolled in the control group.The correlation between iron metabolism index and intelligence quotient was analyzed. Results The ferritin level of Dongxiang students(51.81 μg/L)was lower than that of Han students(65.73 μg/L), and total iron binding capacity of students in Dongxiang county [(65.04±6.68) μmol/L] was higher than that of students in Lanzhou city[(59.92±5.91) μmol/L]. The transferrinsaturation of students in Dongxiang county[0.23(0.19~0.30)] was lower than that of students in Lanzhou city[0.26(0.20~0.32)]. The differences were statistically significant(P<0.05). Analysis of multiple linear regression showed that ferritin and serum iron were correlated to intelligence quotient score of the IDA students(P<0.05). Conclusion Ferritin and serum iron are associated with primary school students′ intelligence quotient.Religious practice, regional economic and cultural level have a certain influence on iron metabolism of local primary school students.It is very important to strengthen the supplement of dietary iron in primary school students in Dongxiang County and reduce the prevalence of iron deficiency. Key words: Iron metabolism indexes; Intelligent development; Primary school students; Dongxiang nationality; Han nationality