Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. 2017, 3 (2), 145-151; doi: 10.3329/ajmbr.v3i2.33561 Asian Journal of Medical and Biological Research ISSN 2411-4472 (Print) 2412-5571 (Online) www.ebupress.com/journal/ajmbr Review The role of iron and zinc in cognitive development of children Md. Abdullah Al Mamun 1 and Ruhina Binta A Ghani 2 1 Department of Food Technology and Nutrition Science, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Sonapur-3814, Noakhali, Bangladesh 2 Health Nutrition and Population program, BRAC 2 , BRAC Centre, 75 Mohakhali, Dhaka-1212, Bangladesh * Corresponding author: Md. Abdullah Al Mamun, Department of Food Technology and Nutrition Science, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Sonapur-3814, Noakhali, Bangladesh. E-mail: mamun.ftns@nstu.edu.bd Received: 07 June 2017/Accepted: 22 June 2017/ Published: 29 June 2017 Abstract: The effects of iron and zinc on cognitive, motor and behavioral development are on children is scientifically accepted and concentrates on the more recent work, some previous work and areas of controversy. There are well established associations with poor development and iron and zinc deficiency in food source but the deficiencies usually occur in disadvantaged circumstances and establishing causal relationships is not easy. The health and well being of children depend upon the interaction between their genetic potential and exogenous factors like adequacy of nutrition, safety of the environment, social interaction and other childhood activity. Both proteins-energy malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies increase the risk of death from common diseases such as acute gastroenteritis, pneumonia and measles. Iron deficiency anemia, for example, is estimated to affect almost 25% of the world’s populati on resulting in high economic cost by adding to the burden on health care services, affecting learning in school. Dietary practices frequently seen in children from both developed and developing countries, leading to frequent consumption of nutrient poor foods, may also put them at risk of micronutrient deficiencies. Keywords: cognitive development; iron; zinc; child health and development; food sources 1. Introduction UNICEF (1998) defined micronutrients as nutrients that are only needed by the body in minute amounts, which play leading roles in the production of enzymes, hormones and other substances, helping to regulate growth activity, cognitive development and the functioning of the immune and reproductive systems. There are well established associations with poor development and iron and zinc deficiency but the deficiencies usually occur in disadvantaged circumstances and establishing causal relationships is difficult (Grantham et al., 1995). Micronutrients of known public health importance include the following: zinc, iodine, iron, selenium, copper, vitamins A, E, C, D, B 2 , B 6 and folate. Deficiency of these micronutrients has a significant impact on children health and cognitive development as well as on the economic development of communities and nations. The full genetic potential of the child for physical growth and mental development may become compromised due to sub clinical deficiencies of micronutrients, which are commonly referred to as “hidden hunger”. Children with these sub clinical deficiencies of micronutrients are more vulnerable to develop frequent and more severe common day-to-day infections thus triggering a vicious cycle of under nutrition and recurrent infections (Singh, 2004). According to Caballero, almost two thirds of the deaths of children around the world are directly or indirectly associated with nutritional deficiencies (Caballero, 2002). According to Singh, vitamins and trace minerals are required for production of various enzymes, hormones, and biochemical mediators for regulation of biological processes. He further stated that micronutrients are required for energy production, synthesis of RNA and DNA and for providing protection against reactive oxygen-free