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Health Information For Parents
Iron-deficiency anemia is anemia that happens when there isn’t enough iron in the body.
Someone with anemia has a lower number of red blood cells (RBCs) than usual. RBCs contain hemoglobin, a protein that carries oxygen throughout the body. The body needs iron to make hemoglobin (HEE-muh-glow-bin). Without enough iron, less hemoglobin and fewer red blood cells are made, leading to anemia.
Treatment with iron supplements usually makes the anemia better.
At first, children with iron-deficiency anemia may not have any symptoms. When symptoms do happen, a child might:
Iron-deficiency anemia can happen when:
Doctors usually can diagnose iron-deficiency anemia by:
medical history
Doctors treat iron-deficiency anemia with iron supplements taken as a liquid or pill for at least 3 months. To help iron get absorbed into the body:
Someone whose anemia is very severe may get iron or a blood transfusion through an IV (intravenous) line.
When iron-deficiency anemia is caused by something other than a lack of iron in the diet, treatment also may include:
If your child has iron-deficiency anemia:
To help prevent iron-deficiency anemia in young children:
Anemia happens when there aren’t enough healthy red blood cells in the body. It can be caused by many things, including dietary problems, medical treatments, and inherited conditions.
Iron is an important ingredient needed to make hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying part of every red blood cell.
Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells. A hemoglobin test can be done as part of a routine checkup to screen for problems and or because a child isn’t feeling well.
Doctors may order a ferritin test when they suspect kids have too little or too much iron in their bodies.
This common blood test helps doctors gather information about a person’s blood cells and how they’re working. Find out why doctors do this test and what’s involved for teens.
Here’s info about how often to breastfeed your baby, how long it takes to nurse, and much more.
Shopping for formula-feeding supplies can be daunting. Here are answers to some common questions about formula feeding.
Learn which nutrients you need while pregnant or breastfeeding, and easy ways to add them to your diet.
Vegetarian diets have become more popular, and many parents may wonder if kids can safely follow a vegetarian diet and still get all the nutrients necessary for growing up healthy and strong.
Here are the basics about the life-sustaining fluid called blood.
Anemia is common in teens because they undergo rapid growth spurts, when the body needs more nutrients like iron. Learn about anemia and how it’s treated.
People choose vegetarianism for a variety of reasons. This article describes different types of vegetarianism and provides advice on ways for vegetarians to get all the nutrients they need.
Find out about the mysterious, life-sustaining fluid called blood.
Get the facts on which period problems are normal and which ones might indicate something’s going on.
How vital are vitamins? Find out in this article for kids.
What does it mean when a kid has anemia? Learn about anemia, why kids get it, and how it’s treated in our article for kids.
Vitamins and minerals are nutrients that the body needs to work properly. They boost the immune system, promote normal growth and development, and help cells and organs do their jobs.
Alpha thalassemia is a blood disorder in which the body has a problem producing alpha globin, a component of hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that transports oxygen throughout the body.
Beta thalassemia is a blood disorder in which the body has a problem producing beta globin, a component of hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that transports oxygen throughout the body.
Some young kids have the eating disorder pica, which is characterized by cravings to eat nonfood items.