American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol 46, 329-334, Copyright © 1987 by The American Society for Clinical Nutrition, Inc

REVIEW ARTICLES

Iron deficiency and the immune response

PR Dallman

The importance of iron deficiency as a public health problem is based ultimately on the seriousness of its consequences on health. The most extensively investigated consequences of iron deficiency involve work performance and immune function. The significance of the effects on work performance are generally accepted. In contrast, data on the influence of iron deficiency on immune function are often perceived as being confusing and contradictory. From reexamination of relevant literature, it seems safe to conclude that abnormalities in cell- mediated immunity and ability of neutrophils to kill several types of bacteria are well established under experimental conditions in iron- deficient patients. It remains uncertain whether these abnormalities result in an increased incidence and duration of infections. This area still requires careful study.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				A. Kumar, A. K. Rai, S. Basu, D. Dash, and J. S. Singh Cord Blood and Breast Milk Iron Status in Maternal Anemia Pediatrics, March 1, 2008; 121(3): e673 - e677. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. E Murray-Kolb and J. L Beard Iron treatment normalizes cognitive functioning in young women Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, March 1, 2007; 85(3): 778 - 787. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. L. BRITO, M. L. BARRETO, R. DE CASSIA R. SILVA, A. M. O. ASSIS, M. G. REIS, I. M. PARRAGA, and R. E. BLANTON MODERATE- AND LOW-INTENSITY CO-INFECTIONS BY INTESTINAL HELMINTHS AND SCHISTOSOMA MANSONI, DIETARY IRON INTAKE, AND ANEMIA IN BRAZILIAN CHILDREN Am J Trop Med Hyg, November 1, 2006; 75(5): 939 - 944. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. G. Biondich, S. M. Downs, A. E. Carroll, A. L. Laskey, G. C. Liu, M. Rosenman, J. Wang, and N. L. Swigonski Shortcomings in Infant Iron Deficiency Screening Methods Pediatrics, February 1, 2006; 117(2): 290 - 294. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				N. Ahluwalia, J. Sun, D. Krause, A. Mastro, and G. Handte Immune function is impaired in iron-deficient, homebound, older women Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, March 1, 2004; 79(3): 516 - 521. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				N. van den Broek Anaemia and micronutrient deficiencies: Reducing maternal death and disability during pregnancy Br. Med. Bull., December 1, 2003; 67(1): 149 - 160. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. M. Grant, J. A. Wiesinger, J. L. Beard, and M. T. Cantorna Iron-Deficient Mice Fail to Develop Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis J. Nutr., August 1, 2003; 133(8): 2635 - 2638. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. de Silva, S. Atukorala, I. Weerasinghe, and N. Ahluwalia Iron supplementation improves iron status and reduces morbidity in children with or without upper respiratory tract infections: a randomized controlled study in Colombo, Sri Lanka Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, January 1, 2003; 77(1): 234 - 241. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. Verhoef, C. E. West, J. Veenemans, Y. Beguin, and F. J. Kok Stunting May Determine the Severity of Malaria-Associated Anemia in African Children Pediatrics, October 1, 2002; 110(4): e48 - 48. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. L. Geltman, A. F. Meyers, and H. Bauchner Daily Multivitamins with Iron to Prevent Anemia in Infancy: A Randomized Clinical Trial Clinical Pediatrics, October 1, 2001; 40(10): 549 - 554. [Abstract] [PDF]

				E. Karyadi, W. Schultink, R. H. H. Nelwan, R. Gross, Z. Amin, W. M. V. Dolmans, J. W. M. van der Meer, J. G. A. J Hautvast, and C. E. West Poor Micronutrient Status of Active Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients in Indonesia J. Nutr., December 1, 2000; 130(12): 2953 - 2958. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. Rush Nutrition and maternal mortality in the developing world Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, July 1, 2000; 72(1): 212S - 240. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Du, F. Zhai, Y. Wang, and B. M. Popkin Current Methods for Estimating Dietary Iron Bioavailability Do Not Work in China J. Nutr., January 1, 2000; 130(2): 193 - 198. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				S. R. Kuvibidila, B. S. Baliga, R. P. Warrier, and R. M. Suskind Iron Deficiency Reduces the Hydrolysis of Cell Membrane Phosphatidyl Inositol-4,5-Bisphosphate during Splenic Lymphocyte Activation in C57BL/6 Mice J. Nutr., July 1, 1998; 128(7): 1077 - 1083. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				US Preventive Services Task Force, H. C. Sox Jr, D. M. Berwick, A. O. Berg, P. S. Frame, D. G. Fryback, D. A. Grimes, R. S. Lawrence, R. B. Wallace, A. E. Washington, et al. Routine Iron Supplementation During Pregnancy: Review Article JAMA, December 15, 1993; 270(23): 2848 - 2854. [Abstract] [PDF]