- Not producing enough red blood cells. This is usually due to iron deficiency anemia, which occurs when young infant start drinking milk too early (there is very little iron in milk and it should not be drunk before the age of 1). In rare cases, another nutritional deficiency may be the problem, such as a lack of folic acid.
- Too many red blood cells are destroyed. It can occur when a infant has a condition like hemolytic anemia or sickle cell anemia, which is most common in infant of African descent.
- Red blood cells do not contain enough hemoglobin. Hereditary blood disorders such as thalassemia, often found in people of Asian, African, Middle Eastern, Greek and Italian descent, can lead to not having enough hemoglobin and even a low red blood cell count.
- The body has lost its blood. This can be caused by an injury or a condition such as hemophilia, in which blood does not clot properly.
What are the sign of infant iron deficiency anemia
and symptom?
Here are some common signs and symptoms of iron deficiency anemia:
- Your skin is pale
- The lips, inner eyelids and nail bed do not look the normal pink
- restlessness
- weak
- Get tired easily or nod off more easily than usual
- Yellowing of skin and/or eyes (jaundice).
- The urine turns dark.
Signs of severe iron deficiency anemia may include:
- Shortness of breath
- Heart rate
- Swollen hands and feet
- Have a headache
- Dizziness and fainting.
Your baby's anemia may be caused by iron deficiency. This type of anaemia usually affects babies between 9 and 24 months of age. Here are some signs and symptoms of iron deficiency anemia caused by iron deficiency:
- Loss of appetite
- restlessness
- restlessness
- Lack of concentration
- If you notice that your child has any of the signs and symptoms listed above, or if you think she is not getting enough iron in her diet, consult her health care provider.
What is the remedial method of infant iron deficiency anemia?
Because there are many different types of iron deficiency anemia, there are different treatments, so it is best to follow the advice of your baby's health care doctor to treat your baby's anemia. Don't give your baby vitamins, supplements or any other over-the-counter medications without first getting the consent of your health care provider.
To treat your infant iron deficiency anemia, your health care provider may recommend medications, dietary restrictions, or supplements. If anemia is due to infant iron deficiency anemia, your health care provider may prescribe iron medications in the form of liquid drops.
Your health care provider may see your baby regularly to check her iron levels. It was important that she got the right amount of iron supplements, not too much. Do not stop giving your baby iron unless your health care provider tells you it is no longer needed.
If it's determined that your infant iron deficiency anemia is caused by a blood cell disorder, such as hemolytic anemia, sickle cell anemia, or thalassemia, your doctor may suggest that you take your baby to see a hematologist, a doctor who specializes in blood conditions.
If your infant is premature or your baby is very sick, in some cases your baby's health care provider may recommend a blood transfusion to treat infant iron deficiency anemia.
When you contact a health care provider or take your baby for a checkup, be sure to mention any signs and symptoms of anemia you observe and if there is a family history of infant iron deficiency anemia or bleeding problems.
How to prevent infant iron deficiency anemia?
Not all types of anemia can be prevented, especially those due to genetic disorders such as sickle cell anemia or thalassemia. However, anemia due to infant iron deficiency anemia or other nutritional deficiencies can be prevented by adhering to a balanced diet.
Here are some ways to prevent nutritional infant iron deficiency anemia:
- Don't give your baby milk until he is at least 12 months old.
- If your baby is breastfed, your healthcare provider may start iron supplementation at 4 months of age and, in most cases, continue iron supplementation until high iron content supplemental solid foods such as fortified iron cereals and meat purees are introduced (about 6 months).
- If your baby is formula fed, choose infant formula with added iron. Avoid using low-iron formula.
- After your baby is 12 months old, feel free to introduce milk, but don't exceed 2 cups per day. Milk is very low in iron, and any more than that will make your baby feel full and less likely to eat iron-rich foods.
- Once your baby is used to eating solid foods, choose a well-rounded diet for your baby that includes iron-rich foods like red meat, egg yolks, potatoes, tomatoes, beans, dried fruits and dark leafy vegetables.
- Include foods rich in vitamin C, as this vitamin helps with iron absorption. Foods rich in vitamin C include citrus fruits, orange juice, peppers, tomatoes, spinach and broccoli.
How is infant iron deficiency anemia diagnosed?
In most cases, anemia is diagnosed with simple blood tests. Routine anemia screening is done because anemia is common in children and they often have no symptoms.
- The AAP recommends infant iron deficiency anemia screening with a hemoglobin blood test for all infants at 12 months of age. The screening should also include a risk assessment. This is a group of questions to find risk factors for iron-deficiency anemia. Risk factors include feeding problems, poor growth, and special healthcare needs.
- If the hemoglobin level is low, more blood tests are done.
- If your child has a risk factor at any age, blood tests are done.
- Blood tests for anemia may also be done during routine physical exam or checkups in children of any age.
Most infant iron deficiency anemia is diagnosed with these blood tests:
- Hemoglobin and hematocrit. This is often the first screening test for anemia in children. It measures the amount of hemoglobin and red blood cells in the blood.
- Complete blood count (CBC). A complete blood count checks the red and white blood cells, blood clotting cells (platelets), and sometimes, young red blood cells (reticulocytes). It includes hemoglobin and hematocrit and more details about the red blood cells.
- Peripheral smear.A small sample of blood is examined under a microscope. Blood cells are checked to see if they look normal or not.
- Iron studies. Blood tests can be done to measure the amount of iron in your child's body.
How is infant iron deficiency anemia treated?
Treatment will depend on your child’s symptoms, age, and general health. It will also depend on how severe the condition is.
To prevent infant iron deficiency anemia, the AAP says:
- Beginning at 4 months of age, infants that are only breastfed or partially breastfed should be given a daily iron supplement until they begin eating iron-rich foods.
- Infants that are formula-fed do not need iron supplements. The formula has iron added to it. Whole milk should not be given to infants less than 12 months old.
- Infants and toddlers from 1 to 3 years old should have foods rich in iron. They include cereal that has iron added, red meats, and vegetables with iron. Fruits with vitamin C are also important. The vitamin C helps the body absorb the iron.
Treating infant iron deficiency anemia includes:
- Iron supplements. Iron drops or pills are taken over several months to increase iron levels in the blood. Iron supplements can irritate the stomach and discolor bowel movements. They should be taken on an empty stomach or with orange juice to increase absorption. They are much more effective than dietary changes alone. If the child can’t take drops or pills, IV iron may be needed, but this is very unusual.
-
Iron-rich diet. Eating a diet with iron-rich foods can help treat iron-deficiency anemia. Good sources of iron include:
- Iron-enriched cereals, breads, pasta, and rice
- Meats, such as beef, pork, lamb, liver, and other organ meats
- Poultry, such as chicken, duck, turkey, (especially dark meat), and liver
- Fish, such as shellfish, including clams, mussels, and oysters, sardines, and anchovies
- Leafy greens of the cabbage family, such as broccoli, kale, turnip greens, and collards
- Legumes, such as lima beans and green peas; dry beans and peas, such as pinto beans, black-eyed peas, and canned baked beans
- Yeast-leavened whole-wheat bread and rolls
The information in this article is based on expert advice from trusted medical and government sources, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. The content on this page should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a medical professional for a full diagnosis and treatment.
References
1. Iron-Deficiency Anemia in Children | Cedars-Sinai
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