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Iron-deficiency anemia in infants, a condition caused by
inadequate levels of iron in the body, was recently covered
in a review
in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. Our bodies
require iron to make hemoglobin, a part of the red blood cells
that carry oxygen throughout the body. If iron levels get
too low, an adult might experience fatigue; headaches; dizziness;
concentration problems; a pale appearance; and brittle nails
and cracked lips. Although few adults in developed nations
suffer from this form of anemia, infants are more commonly
affected.
In a healthy infant's first months outside the womb, breastfeeding
does not provide adequate iron, so iron stored in the liver
and bone marrow is utilized. However, by around six months
of age, these stores are depleted. Premature birth; prolonged
and excessive breastfeeding; providing the wrong types of
complementary foods; and frequent infections can all lead
to iron deficiency in infants. In children and adolescents,
it usually occurs in females as the result of menstruation
combined with restricted food intake.
 In young children, iron deficiency is characterized by altered
behavior, including excessive wariness, irritability and depression,
and altered motor development, including a fear of leaving
a parent's side. Adolescents and children who were anemic
as infants may end up having lower grades and cognitive test
scores; worse math scores; and reduced verbal learning and
memory abilities.
It is crucial that babies and young children have enough
iron while still developing and growing. Strike while the
iron is still hot: Feed your kids red meat, poultry and fish
- the best natural sources of dietary iron. Fortified breakfast-type
cereals and infant formulas are also excellent sources. Infants
7-12 months old, children ages 4-8, and adolescents ages 14-18
require the most dietary iron. When detected, existing iron-deficiency
anemia can be treated immediately with iron supplementation
provided by a doctor.
Reference:
Zlotkin S. Clinical nutrition:8. The role of nutrition in
the prevention of iron deficiency anemia in infants, children
and adolescents. Canadian Medical Association Journal 2003:168(1),
pp. 59-63.
For a wealth of nutrition studies, check out https://www.chiroweb.com/find/archives/nutrition.
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