Iron deficiency in children:
Iron deficiency in children can affect the child’s health and development and lead to anemia. Continue the following article to know the symptoms of iron deficiency in children, how to prevent iron deficiency, and the importance of examining the child to check for iron deficiency.
The importance of iron for children:
Iron is an essential nutrient for a child's development. Iron helps transport oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body, and helps muscles store and use oxygen.
If your child's food lacks iron, it may develop into a condition called iron deficiency. Iron deficiency in children can occur on several levels, due to the depletion of iron stores leading to anemia. Untreated iron deficiency can affect the child's growth and development.
Symptoms of iron deficiency in children:
Iron deficiency can weaken your child and affect his general health. However, most of the symptoms of iron deficiency in children do not appear until iron deficiency anemia occurs:
- Pale skin.
- Fatigue.
- Slowing growth rates.
- Poor appetite.
- Abnormally rapid breathing.
- Behavioral problems.
- Frequent infections.
- Unusual desire for non-food substances such as ice, starch, dirt, or paint.
The importance of examining the child to check for iron deficiency:
Iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia are usually diagnosed through blood tests, with all infants from 9 months to 12 months old being screened for iron deficiency anemia.
As for those with increased risk factors for iron deficiency, they are examined again at an older age, and according to the results of the examinations; The doctor recommends oral iron supplements, a daily multivitamin, or other screening.
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child health