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).
Abingdon Physician Partners - Regional Cancer Center At Johnston Memorial Hospital
Anthony DeSalvo, MD, believes the best care comes from both science and compassion, especially during life's most difficult moments. He chose to specialize in oncology because it's rapidly advancing field that allows him to support patients when they need it most. After an internal medicine rotation, he explored several career paths but felt a strong connection to oncology and the opportunity it provides to make a meaningful difference. Originally from upstate New York, Dr. DeSalvo first came to the Appalachian Highlands to attend Virginia Tech and fell in love with the region. He was drawn back by the honesty and faith of the people here. In his free time, he enjoys restoring his pre-Civil War farmhouse, hiking and swimming. Dr. Desalvo is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Childhood Iron Deficiency Anemia. His top areas of expertise are Inflammatory Breast Cancer, Paget Disease of the Breast, Angiosarcoma, and Childhood Iron Deficiency Anemia.
Ballad Health Cancer Center
. Dr. Shipstone is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Childhood Iron Deficiency Anemia. His top areas of expertise are Adult Immune Thrombocytopenia, Colorectal Cancer, Hemangioma Thrombocytopenia Syndrome, and Thrombocytopenia.
Bassett Medical Center
. Dr. Patel is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Childhood Iron Deficiency Anemia. His top areas of expertise are Angiosarcoma, Lung Adenocarcinoma, Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC), and Iron Deficiency Anemia.
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: Several clinical trials have been reported for ferric derisomaltose where it has been shown to be well tolerated and to improve markers of IDA. All clinical trials with ferric derisomaltose have been performed in adults, however, IDA is not specific to the adult population. In fact, children are likely to develop IDA due to their rapid growth. The aim in this trial is to evaluate the efficacy and ...
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...
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.