Iron Deficiency Anemia

Iron is a nutrient that's essential to your child's growth and development. Iron helps move oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body and helps muscles store and use oxygen. Untreated iron deficiency in children can cause physical and mental delays in areas such as walking and talking.

Risk factors for iron deficiency in children

Babies who are born prematurely — more than three weeks before their due date — or have a low birth weight
Babies who drink cow's milk before age 1
Breast-fed babies who aren't given complementary foods containing iron after age 6 months
Babies who drink formula that isn't fortified with iron
Children ages 1 to 5 who drink more than 710 milliliters of cow's milk, goat's milk or soy milk a day
Children who have certain health conditions, such as chronic infections or restricted diets

Adolescent girls also are at higher risk of iron deficiency because their bodies lose iron during menstruation.

Symptoms

Many kids with iron deficiency don't show any symptoms because the body's iron stores are depleted slowly. As the anemia progresses, you may recognize some of the following symptoms in your child:

fatigue and weakness
pale skin and mucous membranes
rapid heartbeat or a new heart murmur (detected in an exam by your child's doctor)
irritability
decreased appetite
dizziness or a feeling of being lightheaded

Rarely, a person with IDA may experience pica, a craving to eat nonfood items such as paint chips, chalk, or dirt. Pica may be caused by a lack of iron in the diet.

Prevention of iron deficiency in children

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that all infants be fed breast milk or iron-fortified formula for at least 12 months. The AAP does NOT recommend giving cow's milk to children under 1 year old.

Diet is the most important way to prevent and treat iron deficiency.

The best sources of iron include: