A groundbreaking study from the University of Minnesota Medical School has indicated that iron supplements may play a crucial role in optimizing brain development in children with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in sub-Saharan Africa.
Published in the esteemed journal Lancet HIV, the study challenges the prevailing belief that iron should be withheld from children with HIV due to concerns over exacerbating infection risks. Instead, the research suggests that iron supplements are not only safe but also beneficial for this demographic, potentially revolutionizing treatment protocols and opening new avenues for future investigations into iron’s impact on neurodevelopmental outcomes in HIV-positive children.
Sarah Cusick, PhD, an associate professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School and a member of the Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain, emphasized the importance of the findings, stating, “With the success and widespread availability of antiretroviral therapy (ART), children with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa are living longer, and optimizing their brain development is a new public health imperative.”
Between May 2018 and November 2019, the research team enrolled 200 HIV-positive children with anemia who had been on ART for at least six months. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either iron supplements or a placebo for a period of three months. The group receiving iron supplements exhibited higher hemoglobin concentrations and improved iron nutrition markers compared to the placebo group. Notably, there was no observed increase in the risk of infection among children taking iron supplements.
Dr. Cusick has called for further research to evaluate the long-term effects of iron supplementation on brain development and infection risk in children with HIV. This will be crucial in formulating evidence-based guidelines for the administration of iron supplements to this vulnerable population.
The study was made possible through financial support from Minnesota Masonic Charities, the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Minnesota Medical School, the Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute, and the National Institutes of Health [K08AI141761].
Conclusion
The University of Minnesota Medical School’s research provides compelling evidence that iron supplements could be a key component in enhancing brain development in children living with HIV. As the field of HIV treatment advances and life expectancies for those with the virus increase, ensuring optimal brain health for affected children becomes increasingly important. This study represents a significant step forward in achieving that goal and sets the stage for further exploration into the role of iron in neurodevelopment.
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