Bledidoc Advice

Iron deficiency is common to 3 year-old children, an age when instituting good eating habits is very important.

Apart from that, anemia is due to iron deficiency; which can affect the psychomotor development on the long run.

Symptoms and consequences of Iron deficiency

For young children, one or more of the following signs may indicate iron deficiency:

1. Pale complexion
2. Lack of appetite
3. Irritability
4. Lack of energy
5. Weight stagnation

A severe deficiency can slow the children’s intellectual development and weaken their immune system. It can also slow down their growth and affect their development.

For older children, a deficiency can also affect their school learning, especially since iron is essential for the proper functioning of the brain; plus, when affected by iron deficiency, children can feel tired and have difficulty focusing.

Ensuring Iron requirements

The daily iron requirement for children varies by age:

1. At 3 years: 7 mg / day
2. 4 to 8 years: 10 mg / day

These iron needs will be assured only by a diversified diet for children not suffering from a disease that predisposes them to anemia.

After the age of 3, dietary diversification rich in iron could provide the daily iron requirement for children. This diet should contain red meat, or iron-rich vegetables, iron-fortified cereals, and fruits containing vitamin C which can help in improving iron absorption.

A diagnostic anemia report is recommended and prescribed by the pediatrician, especially for children at risk of having iron deficiency anemia. Iron supplementation is decided by the doctor according to each case.

REMEMBER

1. Iron is essential for your child's growth.
2. A diet that includes several iron-rich food helps prevent deficiencies, including anemia, and its serious health consequences.
3. It is important to note that some growing-up milks cover up to 85% of iron requirements for children over 3 years old, especially when the iron is used as a serum and combined with vitamin C

Dr Elie CHOUEIRY, Pediatrician, Intensive Care Specialist PICU HDF

Dr Rouba Bechara, Pediatric Resident

^{AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics)ESPGHAN COMMITTEE ON NUTRITION. « Iron Requirements of Infants and Toddlers », Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, vol. 58, no 1, 2014, p. 119–129.SOCIÉTÉ CANADIENNE DE PÉDIATRIE. Soin de nos enfants. Les besoins en fer des bébés et des enfants, 2019. www.soinsdenosenfants.cps.caU.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Iron, 2018. www.cdc.gov}