Iron is a mineral. It is an important part of every cell in the human body. Most importantly, iron is found in the red blood cells where it helps deliver oxygen to all of the organs and tissues.
Iron is needed to create new blood cells. A lack of iron can cause a low blood count called anemia. Anemia is one of the most common nutritional problems worldwide.
Anemia can lead to a number of problems, including:
Babies and young children need iron for proper growth and development of their entire bodies, in particular their rapidly growing brains. When young children are anemic, they may show delays in normal development. They may have problems in school, including difficulty completing tasks and problems paying attention. Remember, however, that not all children with anemia have the symptoms listed above. Also, some children have low iron levels but have not yet developed anemia.
Some children are more likely to become anemic. Children who are born prematurely, have a low birth weight, live in poverty, or are recent immigrants have a higher risk of developing anemia. Adolescent girls are at higher risk of anemia due to blood loss from their menstrual periods.
Generally, full-term breastfed babies are thought to receive enough iron in breast milk for the first four months of life. After that, they will need to be given an iron supplement until they get enough iron from other sources, such as iron-fortified formula or iron-rich food. Formula-fed infants need iron-fortified formula. After babies are taking solid foods, they should be getting iron-rich food, such as meat or iron-fortified cereal, each day. Premature babies should almost always be given iron supplements starting at one month of age to 12 months.
Children under 12 months old should not drink cows milk. Because cow’s milk is a poor source of iron, toddlers are prone to developing anemia if they drink more than 2-3 cups of milk each day. If you restrict how much cow's milk your child drinks, they will be more likely to eat foods that are higher in iron.
Your child should have a balanced diet that includes daily portions of iron-rich foods, such as:
Interestingly, the body absorbs iron from animal sources such as meats better than iron from plant sources. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) also helps the intestine absorb iron more efficiently. Serve iron-rich foods with drinks or foods that are high in vitamin C. Examples include: orange juice, citrus fruits, broccoli, strawberries, and melon.
Anemia can be easily detected with a simple blood test. Different organizations have different recommendations regarding routine screening for anemia. Often children are checked for the first time at about one year of age. If your child is at higher risk, it may be done earlier. Let your child's doctor know if you are concerned that your child has anemia or is at risk for anemia.
The exact amount of iron needed in the diets of children varies depending on age and gender. For example, because teen girls lose iron through menstrual blood, they need more iron than teen boys. Here are some basics on how much iron children need at various ages:
Age of Child
|7-12 months||11 mg||11 mg|
|1-3 years||7 mg||7 mg|
|4-8 years||10 mg||10 mg|
|9-13 years||8 mg||8 mg|
|14-18 years||15 mg||11 mg|
If your child is anemic, talk to the doctor to make sure that your child is eating a well-balanced diet that is rich in iron-containing foods.
If the doctor thinks that your child needs to take iron supplements, you should ask which form of iron your child should take. There are many types on the market, and you may need to try several to find one that your child tolerates. The doctor may encourage you to give your child a food or beverage containing vitamin C along with the iron supplement to improve its absorption. If your child has any stomach upset from the supplement, you may be asked to give smaller doses several times a day.
If you are giving your child iron supplements, carefully follow the doctor's instructions. Iron at doses that are higher than the ones listed in the table above can cause serious s