Childhood Iron Deficiency Anemia Overview
Learn About Childhood Iron Deficiency Anemia
View Main Condition: Anemia
Anemia is a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells provide oxygen to body tissues. There are many types of anemia.
Iron helps make red blood cells and helps these cells carry oxygen. A lack of iron in the body may lead to anemia. The medical name of this problem is iron deficiency anemia.
Anemia - iron deficiency - children
Anemia caused by a low iron level is the most common form of anemia. The body gets iron through certain foods. It also reuses iron from old red blood cells.
A diet that does not have enough iron is the most common cause of this type of anemia in children. When a child is growing rapidly, such as during puberty, even more iron is needed.
Toddlers who drink too much cow's milk may also become anemic because too much cow's milk makes it difficult for the body to absorb iron. Also, children who drink too much cow's milk may not eat enough other healthy foods that have iron.
Other causes may be:
- The body is not able to absorb iron well, even though the child is eating enough iron.
- Slow blood loss over a long period, often due to menstrual periods or bleeding in the digestive tract.
Iron deficiency in children can also be related to lead poisoning.
Mild anemia may have no symptoms. As the iron level and blood counts become lower, your child may:
- Act irritable
- Become short of breath
- Crave unusual foods (pica)
- Eat less food
- Feel tired or weak all the time
- Have a sore tongue
- Have headaches or dizziness
With more severe anemia, your child may have:
- Blue-tinged or very pale whites of eyes
- Brittle nails
- Pale skin
Since children only absorb a small amount of the iron they eat, most children need to have 3 mg/kg to 6 mg/kg of iron per day, in 1 to 2 doses per day.
Eating healthy foods is the most important way to prevent and treat iron deficiency. Good sources of iron include:
- Apricots
- Chicken, turkey, fish, and other meats
- Dried beans, lentils, and soybeans
- Eggs
- Liver
- Molasses
- Oatmeal
- Peanut butter
- Prune juice
- Raisins and prunes
- Spinach, kale and other green leafy vegetables
If a healthy diet does not prevent or treat your child's low iron level and anemia, your provider will likely recommend iron supplements for your child. These are taken by mouth.
Do not give your child iron supplements or vitamins with iron without checking with your child's provider. Your provider will prescribe the right kind of supplement for your child. Too much iron in children can be toxic. Supplemental iron is usually prescribed to be taken by mouth, but may also be given intravenously (through a vein).
Mchs Hospitals Inc
Adedayo Onitilo is a Hematologist Oncology specialist and a Hematologist in Marshfield, Wisconsin. Dr. Onitilo and is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Childhood Iron Deficiency Anemia. His top areas of expertise are Lung Cancer, Neuroendocrine Tumor, Familial Colorectal Cancer, Pancreaticoduodenectomy, and Gallbladder Removal. Dr. Onitilo is currently accepting new patients.
Mchs Hospitals Inc
Seth Fagbemi is a Hematologist Oncology specialist and a Hematologist in Marshfield, Wisconsin. Dr. Fagbemi has been practicing medicine for over 43 years and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Childhood Iron Deficiency Anemia. His top areas of expertise are Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC), Familial Colorectal Cancer, Clear Cell Sarcoma, Bone Marrow Transplant, and Prostatectomy. Dr. Fagbemi is currently accepting new patients.
Mchs Hospitals Inc
Andrei Bandarchuk is a Hematologist Oncology specialist and a Hematologist in Marshfield, Wisconsin. Dr. Bandarchuk and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Childhood Iron Deficiency Anemia. His top areas of expertise are Thrombocytopenia, Pleuropulmonary Blastoma, Follicular Lymphoma, Anemia, and Bone Marrow Aspiration. Dr. Bandarchuk is currently accepting new patients.
With treatment, the outcome is likely to be good. In most cases, the blood counts will return to normal in 2 to 3 months. It is important that your provider finds the cause of your child's iron deficiency.
Anemia caused by a low iron level can affect a child's ability to learn in school. A low iron level can cause decreased attention span, reduced alertness, and learning problems in children.
A low iron level can cause the body to absorb too much lead.
Eating a variety of healthy foods is the most important way to prevent and treat iron deficiency.
Summary: This study aims to compare the efficacy of two iron preparation for the management of children presented with iron deficiency anemia. Ferrous sulphate and lron polymaltose (ferric form) are most commonly used preparations. Both drugs are easily available in market and are often recommended by pediatriclans. The efficacy, bioavail.tbilily, side effects and cost of these preparations vary. This stud...
Summary: The goal of this observational study is to explore the relationship between iron-deficiency anemia and neurobehavioral development in children aged 6-24 months. This study focuses on children who undergo health check-ups and blood tests at pediatric health clinics in Pingshan District, Shenzhen, China. The main questions it aims to answer are: How does iron-deficiency anemia affect children's neur...
Published Date: February 17, 2024
Published By: Charles I. Schwartz, MD, FAAP, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, General Pediatrician at PennCare for Kids, Phoenixville, PA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Marcdante KJ, Kliegman RM, Schuh AM. Iron-deficiency anemia. In: Marcdante KJ, Kliegman RM, Schuh AM, eds. Nelson Essentials of Pediatrics. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 150.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute website. Iron-deficiency anemia. www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/anemia/iron-deficiency-anemia. Updated March 24, 2022. Accessed February 22, 2024.
Rothman JA. Iron-deficiency anemia. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 504.