摘要：O ver a third of the global population is estimated to have Iron Deficiency (ID). It manifests during all stages of life and especially during times of ac- celerated growth phases, mainly affecting infants, adoles- cents and pregnant women. ID has been shown to be associated with poorer cognitive, motor and behavioural development, including lower intel- ligence quotients (IQ) in children [1]. It is also associated with poorer pregnancy outcomes for mothers and infants. This raises the question of the global effects of ID, in terms of cognitive abilities, economics and productivity. This viewpoint reviews some of the recently discovered extra– haematological effects of ID and its relevance to modern– day society, in both developed and developing countries.
