When kids under 7 don’t have enough iron in their blood, it can make it harder for them to think clearly and move smoothly, because their brains aren’t getting the right materials to grow and work properly.

When little kids between 1 and 5 years old don’t have enough iron in their blood, it can slow down how well they think and move, and checking their ferritin levels can tell us this is happening early.

Kids who don’t have enough iron in their blood are often the same kids who have trouble paying attention or who behave in ways linked to ADHD or autism.

Giving iron supplements to young kids who don’t have enough iron in their blood might help them do a little better on tests that measure how smart they are, especially in places where many kids are iron-deficient.

If a baby doesn't get enough iron, it might also miss out on other important nutrients, and that could make their brain and organs grow slower or not as well.

Giving iron pills to kids who aren’t anemic doesn’t seem to make them smarter, better at remembering things, or more focused — their brain skills stay about the same.