Hemoglobin, growth, and attention of infants in Southern Ethiopia

Male and female infants from rural Ethiopia were tested to investigate relations among hemoglobin (Hb), anthropometry, and attention. A longitudinal design was used to examine differences in attention performance from 6 (M=24.9weeks, n=89) to 9months of age (M=40.6weeks, n=85), differences hypothesized to be related to changes in iron status and growth delays. Stunting (length-for-age z scores <-2.0) and attention performance, t(30)=-2.42, p=022, worsened over time. Growth and Hb predicted attention at 9months, R ²=15, p<.05, but not at 6. The study contributes to the knowledge base concerning the relations among Hb, early growth, and attention.