Iron intakes and serum ferritin levels in developmentally delayed children. An assessment of maternal knowledge and attitudes.

A survey conducted on a quota sample of 42 developmentally delayed children included assessment of maternal nutrition knowledge and attitudes. A 24-hour recall was combined with a two-day food record for calculation of dietary iron intakes of the children. Serum ferritin levels were used to assess subjects' iron stores. Maternal education was positively correlated with maternal nutrition knowledge, attitude toward meal planning, and stricter attitudes toward feeding children. Maternal nutrition knowledge and strictness attitudes significantly correlated with dietary iron intake. Relative feeding skills and age correlated with serum ferritin levels.