Evaluation of the effect of iron deficiency on SCASI (Social communication area screening test for infants and young children) score in 12-15 months children

Iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia are the most common causes of nutritional deficiency and anemia in the world. In many studies, it is known that iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia cause significant effects on growth and development in childhood. Screening tests are also very important in the follow up of the development. There are many developmental screening tests used in practice in our country. The effect of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia on the social communication area screening test for infant and young children (SCASI), which plays a role in the evaluation of social communication area, constitutes the aim of our study. We consider that SCASI will become widespread and helpful in evaluating the development of our children in daily practice. Our study is a prospective case control study. 43 patients with iron deficiency anemia were included in the patient group. 69 cases were determined as the control group. SCASI was repeated at the 12th month of the patients in the patient group and the control group, and at the 15th month in all groups after the treatment of the patient group. Demographic information and SCASI results of all cases were compared. According to the 12th month SCASI results in the patient group with iron deficiency anemia were compared to the control group, it was statistically significant that there was a delay in social communication area (p<0.05). According to the laboratory results of the patient and control groups, it was found statistically significant that the SCASI total scores decreased with the decrease in hemoglobin, iron and ferritin levels (p<0.05). When the patient group was reevaluated at the 15th month after the treatment with the control group, it was observed that the delay was decreased and similar SCASI results were obtained.