Iron deficiency in children (Anemia)

Iron is one of the very important minerals for the growth and development of the child, but some children may experience a decrease in the levels of iron in the blood, which causes a deficiency, and unfortunately this is a common and recurring problem among children, so it is important to ensure that the child gets the daily requirement of iron, and monitor Deficiency Symptoms, if present.

Symptoms of Iron deficiency (Anemia) in children

children are born with a stock of iron in their bodies, and it is also important to fortify this stock during their rapid growth and development stages to avoid a deficiency and the appearance of associated symptoms. These are the symptoms:

1. Tiredness and exhaustion

One of the most prominent signs of iron deficiency in children, and the occurrence of fatigue is explained by the fact that iron deficiency causes a weakness in the body’s ability to manufacture an important protein called hemoglobin, which is the protein responsible for transporting oxygen to all cells of the body, causing oxygen to not reach the cells of the body, which causes them to lose access to energy, This causes a feeling of fatigue, which in some cases may be associated with weakness and difficulty concentrating.

2. Pale Skin

The paleness of the skin and its appearance in a slightly yellowish color are signs associated with a lack of iron stores, and this symptom is also associated with a decrease in hemoglobin protein levels; This is because hemoglobin is responsible for giving blood its red color, so a decrease in its levels makes the blood less red.

And a study conducted on children between the ages of 6-11 years to determine the locations of the appearance of pale skin, to find that it can appear in all parts of the body or be confined to one part, such as: the face, gums, inside the lower eyelids, inside the lips, nails.

3. Difficulty in Breathing

We have previously shown that cells with low iron stores do not get enough oxygen, and this will increase the breathing rate to get more oxygen, and thus cause shortness of breath, which is a common symptom of iron deficiency in children.

4. Arrhythmias

Decreased iron and hemoglobin stores also affect the heart, as the effort increases on the heart to pump larger amounts of blood and to transport oxygen to all tissues of the body.

Iron deficiency causes a group of symptoms that appear on the mouth in the inner and outer part, such as:

• Swelling, inflammation, or paleness of the tongue.
• Dryness in the mouth.
• Painful red cracks at the corners of the mouth.
• Mouth sores

6. Craving Strange Foods

Iron deficiency is associated with a condition known as pica. It is the child's craving to eat strange foods or even to eat non-food items, such as: snow, mud, dirt, chalk, and paper.

7.Other symptoms

In addition to all the previous symptoms of iron deficiency in children may also include, headache, skin and hair dryness and irritation, restless leg syndrome, nail brittleness and cracking, depression, cold hands and feet, frequent infections, poor appetite, hair loss, dizziness or fainting.

How to diagnose Iron deficiency?

It is important, dear reader, when any of the previous symptoms of iron deficiency appear in children to see a doctor, as the doctor will look for symptoms visible on the skin, such as: pale skin or mouth sores, and then he will resort to conducting simple blood tests, such as the following:

• Examination of hemoglobin and hematocrit.
• Complete blood count (CBC)
• Iron stock check

In Capital, we offer a child health package and an anemia detection package. There is also a large number of other tests, which are provided by a distinguished, highly accurate and efficient team.

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References:

1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/ar/healthy-lifestyle/childrens-health/in-depth/iron-deficiency/art-20045634
2. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/iron-deficiency-signs-symptoms#3.-Shortness-of-breath
3. https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/ida.html
4. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/chronic/Pages/Anemia-and-Your-Child.aspx
5. https://www.cedars-sinai.org/health-library/diseases-and-conditions—pediatrics/i/iron-deficiency-anemia-in-children.html
6. https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/conditions/health-library/iron-deficiency-anemia-in-children#:~:text=These%20are%20the%20most%20common,energy%20or%20tiring%20easily%20(fatigue)
7. https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=167&contentid=ferritin_blood