Child cognitive development
Supplements studied for Child cognitive development.
Overview
SupplementDEX lists 2 supplements studied for child cognitive development across 10 trials. The strongest indexed signals include Iron, Lutein. See the heatmap and evidence reviews below for full ratings across all supplements.
Effect graph
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Studies
Find individual evidence reviews for supplements sorted by DEX Score.
2 supplements for rated at least stars. All purchase bands. No minimum star filter.
IronView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- Early research on child cognitive development is limited.
- A randomized clinical trial evaluating whether low-dose iron supplementation influences early developmental outcomes in exclusively breastfed infants.
- More studies are needed before any benefit can be considered reliable.
Browse 7 studies·3 meta-analyses
RCTEffect of Low-Dose Iron Supplementation on Early Development in Breastfed Infants: A Randomized Clinical Trial2024n=104
In 104 exclusively or predominantly breastfed infants given 1 mg/kg/day iron from 4 to 9 months, supplementation did not improve psychomotor development at 12 months versus placebo.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Duration
- 4–9 months
- Dose
- 1 mg/kg
- Population
- Breastfed infants
- Participants
- 104
- Ages
- 4–9
ObservationalEffect of Infant Iron Deficiency on Children's Verbal Abilities: The Roles of Child Affect and Parent Unresponsiveness2019n=875
In 875 Chilean children, infant iron deficiency or anemia predicted lower verbal ability at follow-up, partly mediated by reduced caregiver stimulation and child engagement.
- Population
- Children/adolescents
- Participants
- 875
MetaEffect of Daily Iron Supplementation in Healthy Exclusively Breastfed Infants: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis2017n=511
A meta-analysis of RCTs in healthy exclusively breastfed infants found daily iron improved hematologic status but did not consistently improve growth or cognitive outcomes.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Population
- Infants
- Participants
- 511
MetaThe Effect of Low Dose Iron and Zinc Intake on Child Micronutrient Status and Development during the First 1000 Days of Life: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis2016
A meta-analysis of low-dose iron and zinc interventions from conception to age 2 years found modest benefits for some micronutrient status markers but inconsistent effects on child development.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 6–23 months
- Dose
- 4 g/day
- Population
- Women
- Ages
- 6–23 months
RCTEffects of zinc and iron supplementation fail to improve motor and language milestone scores of infants and toddlers2013
In 544 Nepali infants and toddlers, daily zinc, iron-folic acid, or combined supplementation for 1 year did not improve motor or language milestone scores versus placebo.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Duration
- 1 year
- Population
- Children/adolescents
Systematic reviewEffects of iron supplementation in nonanemic pregnant women, infants, and young children on the mental performance and psychomotor development of children: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials2010n=561
A systematic review of 561 participants across 5 RCTs found no individual trial showed iron supplementation in nonanemic pregnant women or young children improved children's mental development index.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Population
- Women
- Participants
- 561
MetaEffect of iron supplementation on mental and motor development in children: systematic review of randomised controlled trials2005
A meta-analysis of RCTs found iron supplementation improved mental development scores in anemic children but not consistently in nonanemic children.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Population
- Children/adolescents
- Ages
- 7+
LuteinView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- Studies find that when mothers eat more lutein during early pregnancy, their children tend to have better verbal skills and behavior by ages 6-10 years.
- However, most young children (ages 3-6) don’t show clear cognitive benefits from lutein.
- Research also suggests kids who have more lutein and zeaxanthin in their diet between ages 3-6 may have slight improvements in thinking skills by ages 6-10.
- In one small study, children taking a supplement with lutein and zeaxanthin for 6 months showed better attention and focus.
- Overall, lutein and zeaxanthin might help brain development, but more studies are needed to confirm this.
Browse 3 studies
RCTLutein and Zeaxanthin Supplementation Improves Dynamic Visual and Cognitive Performance in Children: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Parallel, Placebo-Controlled Study2024
In children aged 5–12, 180 days of lutein 10 mg plus zeaxanthin 2 mg/day increased macular pigment, reduced eye strain, and improved focus, episodic memory, and processing speed versus placebo.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 180 days
- Dose
- 2 mg/day
- Population
- Adults
- Ages
- 5–12
ObservationalEarly Childhood Lutein and Zeaxanthin Intake Is Positively Associated with Early Childhood Receptive Vocabulary and Mid-Childhood Executive Function But No Other Cognitive or Behavioral Outcomes in Project Viva2022n=1,378
In 1,378 children (Project Viva), higher early-childhood lutein/zeaxanthin intake was associated with better receptive vocabulary and mid-childhood executive function, but not other cognitive or behavioral outcomes.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Population
- Older adults
- Participants
- 1,378
- Avg age
- ~3.2
ObservationalMaternal Intake of Lutein and Zeaxanthin during Pregnancy Is Positively Associated with Offspring Verbal Intelligence and Behavior Regulation in Mid-Childhood in the Project Viva Cohort2021n=1,580
In 1,580 mother-child pairs, higher maternal lutein/zeaxanthin intake during pregnancy was associated with higher mid-childhood verbal intelligence and better behavior regulation.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Population
- Pregnant women
- Participants
- 1,580
Evidence visualised
Same ratings as above, aggregated so you can see coverage and imbalance.