Anemia happens when you have lower numbers of red blood cells (RBCs) than usual. RBCs contain hemoglobin, a protein that carries oxygen throughout the body.
The body needs iron to make hemoglobin. Treatment with iron supplements usually makes the anemia better but you can also focus on iron rich foods taken with vitamin C to aid in absorption.
I catch iron deficiency in one year olds when they are putting inanimate objects in their mouth such as ice, rocks, dirt, crayons and more. Otherwise a child may not have any symptoms. When symptoms do happen, they include pallor, moodiness, fatigue, dizzy/lightheadedness, increased heartbeat, developmental delays and behavior concerns.
Reasons iron deficiency can happen in children:
○ children who drink too much cow’s milk, and babies given cow’s milk before they’re 1 year old
○ vegetarians because they don’t eat meat, a good source of iron
○ breastfed babies who don’t get iron supplements (either taken by mom or given separately)
○ babies given formula with low iron
○ babies who were born early or small who may need more iron than formula or breast milk contains
○ children who drink too much cow’s milk, and babies given cow’s milk before they’re 1 year old
○ vegetarians because they don’t eat meat, a good source of iron
○ breastfed babies who don’t get iron supplements (either taken by mom or given separately)
○ babies given formula with low iron
○ babies who were born early or small who may need more iron than formula or breast milk contains
Treatment:
Doctors treat iron-deficiency anemia with iron supplements taken as a liquid or pill for at least 3 months. To help iron get absorbed into the body:
● Avoid taking iron with antacids, milk, or tea because these interfere with the body’s ability to absorb iron.
● Take iron before eating (unless this causes an upset stomach).
Doctors treat iron-deficiency anemia with iron supplements taken as a liquid or pill for at least 3 months. To help iron get absorbed into the body:
● Avoid taking iron with antacids, milk, or tea because these interfere with the body’s ability to absorb iron.
● Take iron before eating (unless this causes an upset stomach).
Someone whose anemia is very severe may get iron or a blood transfusion through an IV (intravenous) line.
When iron-deficiency anemia is caused by something other than a lack of iron in the diet, treatment also may include:
● treatments to reduce bleeding in heavy menstrual periods
● reducing the amount of cow’s milk in the diet
● treating an underlying disease
● treatments to reduce bleeding in heavy menstrual periods
● reducing the amount of cow’s milk in the diet
● treating an underlying disease
How Can Parents Help?
If your child has iron-deficiency anemia:
● Make sure your child takes the iron supplements exactly as prescribed.
● Include iron-rich foods in the family’s diet.
If your child has iron-deficiency anemia:
● Make sure your child takes the iron supplements exactly as prescribed.
● Include iron-rich foods in the family’s diet.
Dr. Vivi’s favorite Iron-Rich Foods (mg of Iron/ servings):
Beef (4 oz.) 3.5
Turkey (dark meat, 4 oz.) 2.5
Chickpeas (½ cup) 2.0
Lentils (4 oz.) 3.0
Tomato paste (4 oz.) 3.9
Quinoa (½ cup) 8.0-9.0
Raisins (4 oz.) 1.5
Tofu, firm (3 oz.) 2.0-7.0
Beef (4 oz.) 3.5
Turkey (dark meat, 4 oz.) 2.5
Chickpeas (½ cup) 2.0
Lentils (4 oz.) 3.0
Tomato paste (4 oz.) 3.9
Quinoa (½ cup) 8.0-9.0
Raisins (4 oz.) 1.5
Tofu, firm (3 oz.) 2.0-7.0
● Serve fruits and vegetables high in vitamin C (citrus fruits and juices, tomatoes, and broccoli) or a glass of orange juice at mealtimes. This helps the iron get absorbed.
● Talk to a dietitian or your doctor if your child is a vegetarian. Options for iron-rich foods for vegetarians are: iron-fortified breakfast cereals, legumes (chickpeas, lentils, and baked beans), soybeans and tofu, dried fruit (raisins and figs), pumpkin seeds, broccoli, and blackstrap molasses.
● Talk to a dietitian or your doctor if your child is a vegetarian. Options for iron-rich foods for vegetarians are: iron-fortified breakfast cereals, legumes (chickpeas, lentils, and baked beans), soybeans and tofu, dried fruit (raisins and figs), pumpkin seeds, broccoli, and blackstrap molasses.
To help prevent iron-deficiency anemia in young children:
● Don’t give cow’s milk to babies under 1 year old.
● Limit cow’s milk in kids over 1 year old to less than 2 cups of milk a day. Giving them more can make them feel full and lower the amount of iron-rich foods they eat.
● Don’t give cow’s milk to babies under 1 year old.
● Limit cow’s milk in kids over 1 year old to less than 2 cups of milk a day. Giving them more can make them feel full and lower the amount of iron-rich foods they eat.
