IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH COGNITIVE FUNCTION IN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS, SANTA CRUZ 2024.

https://doi.org/10.56274/rcs.2025.4.1.54

Abstract

Introduction. Anemia is a condition in which hemoglobin and erythrocytes in the blood are insufficient to meet the physiological demands of the human body. Specifically, anemia due to a lack of iron, resulting from insufficient iron levels, is linked to a notable reduction in cognitive abilities. This deficit especially affects the development of children, school-age youth, and university students, compromising their academic performance and quality of life. Objective. To establish the connection between iron deficiency and the mental abilities of university students at the Faculty of Human Health Sciences, Santa Cruz, Bolivia, 2024 (1). Methods and Materials. An epidemiological research study was carried out through the collection, laboratory diagnosis, and analysis of blood samples to confirm the presence of anemia and its possible causes in students (2). This study is descriptive, prospective, cross-sectional, and quantitative. Data were obtained through surveys and evaluations that analyze mild cognitive impairment, applying inclusion and exclusion criteria for its evaluation. Results. The overall anemia rate was 9.34%, while the specific iron deficiency anemia rate reached 5.1% (21 students). The most frequent symptoms were headaches, exhaustion, and extreme tiredness, while visible signs included pallor and glossitis. The majority of those affected were women studying medicine. They showed an average score of 24 points on the MoCA test, suggesting cognitive impairment. The OR = 1.34 shows that students suffering from iron deficiency anemia are 1.34 times more likely to experience cognitive impairment compared to those who do not suffer from this condition (3).