الفهرس 
AcknowledgmentOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Iron deficiency is the most widespread nutritional problem in the world today. It is now recognized that iron deficiency even without anaemia has adverse functional consequences, although they ’are less obvious. Adolescents, women in the reproductive age group and young children in developing countries are particularly vulnerable. Even in industrialized countries, iron deficiency anaemia is the most common’nutritional deficiency. An equal number of people are iron-deficient without being anaemic. Iron deficiency is a systemic condition, which has many mental and physical consequences: it impairs physical growth, work capacity and depresses immune ’function. One of the most concerning consequences of iron deficiency in children is the alteration of behavior and cognitive functions. The aim of this study was to determine the precipitating factors of iron’:’ deficiency and to investigate the association between iron status in adolescent girls and cognitive functions, scholastic achievement, general health, physical growth, susceptibility to infections and changes in skin, nail and hair. The study was carried out in Student Health Insurance Hospital. Adolescent girls aged 11- 16 years seeking medical advise were recruited for the study with the exclusion of those who were suffering from chronic diseases or mental retardation. The study extended from April to September 2003. The total number was 180 adolescents. Two parameters (haemoglobin (Hb) and serum ferritin) were used to assess iron status. Girls were classified as normal (non-iron deficient), non-anaemic iron deficient, or iron-deficient anaemic.