Iron deficiency anemia - children Health Article

Definition

Iron deficiency anemia is a decrease in the number of red blood cells due to a lack of iron.

This article focuses on iron deficiency anemia in children.

Alternative Names

Anemia - iron deficiency - children

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Iron deficiency anemia is the most common form of anemia. Iron is an essential part of hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein in blood. You get iron through certain foods, and your body also reuses iron from old red blood cells.

Babies are born with about 500 milligrams (mg) of iron in their bodies. By the time they reach adulthood they need to have about 5,000 mg.

Children need to absorb an average of 1 mg per day of iron to keep up with the needs of their growing bodies. Since children only absorb about 10% of the iron they eat, most children need to receive 8-10 mg of iron per day. Breastfed babies need less, because iron is absorbed 3 times better when it is in breast milk.

An iron-poor diet is a common cause of iron deficiency. Drinking too much cow's milk is a common cause of iron deficiency in young children because cow’s milk contains little iron and can get in the way of iron absorption. Cow's milk also can cause problems in the intestine that lead to blood loss and increased risk of anemia.

Iron deficiency most commonly affects babies between 9 - 24 months old. All babies should have a screening test for iron deficiency at this age. Babies born prematurely may need to be tested earlier.

The adolescent growth spurt is another high-risk period.

Iron deficiency in children can be related to lead poisoning or slow bleeding.

Symptoms

• Blue-tinged or very pale whites of eyes
• Blood in the stools
• Brittle nails
• Decreased appetite (especially in children)
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Irritability
• Pale skin color (pallor)
• Shortness of breath
• Sore tongue
• Unusual food cravings (called pica)
• Weakness

Note: There may be no symptoms if anemia is mild.