Neurochem Res. 2007 Oct;32(10):1665-72.
Iron-deficiency anemia is associated with altered characteristics of sleep spindles in NREM sleep in infancy.
Peirano P, Algarín C, Garrido M, Algarín D, Lozoff B.
Sleep and Functional Neurobiology Laboratory, Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology (INTA), University of Chile, Av. JP Alessandri 5540, Santiago, Chile.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of iron-deficiency anemia on the development of non-rapid-eye-movement (NREM) sleep stages, as indexed by sleep spindles. STUDY DESIGN: Patterns of sleep spindles during NREM sleep stages 2 and 3-4 (slow-wave-sleep, SWS) were compared in 26 otherwise healthy 6-month-old Chilean infants with iron-deficiency anemia and 18 non-anemic control infants. From polygraphic recordings, EEG activity was analyzed for sleep spindles to assess their number (density), duration, frequency, and inter-spindle interval. RESULTS: Iron-deficient anemic infants differed from the control group by having sleep spindles with reduced density, lower frequency, and longer inter-spindle intervals in NREM sleep stage 2 and SWS. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide evidence of delayed sleep spindle patterns in iron-deficient anemic infants, suggesting that iron is an essential micronutrient for the normal progression of NREM sleep pattern development in the human.

Categories: 2007, Iron, Iron deficiency anemia, Sleep architecture