Iron is a basic metal or mineral. It’s also an important part of every cell in the human body. Most importantly, iron is found in the red blood cells where it is active in carrying oxygen around the body, delivering it to all of the organs and tissues.
Low iron in the blood is called
anemia
, and a person who has low iron is referred to as anemic. Anemia is the most common nutritional problem worldwide.
Anemia can lead to a number of problems, including:
- Decreased energy
- Increased fatigue
- Irritability
- Paleness
- Increased susceptibility to infections
- Problems with concentration
- Constipation
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
Babies and young children need iron for proper growth and development of their entire bodies, in particular their rapidly growing brains. When young children are anemic, they may show delays in normal development. They may have problems in school, including difficulty completing tasks and problems paying attention. Remember, however, that not all children with anemia have the symptoms listed above. Also, some children have low iron levels but haven’t yet developed full-blown anemia.
Some children are particularly susceptible to becoming anemic. Children who are born prematurely, have a low initial birth weight, live in poverty, or are of Mexican- or African-American descent have a higher risk of developing anemia. Babies who are fed cow’s or goat’s milk before their first birthday are at higher risk, as are toddlers who drink more than 2-3 cups of milk a day. Adolescent girls are at higher risk of anemia, due to blood loss from their menstrual periods.
Generally, breastfed babies are thought to receive enough iron in the breast milk for the first six months of life. Babies who are drinking bottles should be fed iron-fortified formulas, and they shouldn’t drink cow’s milk or goat’s milk for the first year of life. Once babies are taking solid foods, they should be given two servings of iron-fortified cereal each day.
Because cow’s milk is a poor source of iron, toddlers are prone to developing anemia if they drink more than 2-3 cups of milk each day. Restricting your toddler’s intake of cow’s milk will mean that he or she eats other foods that are more likely to be rich in iron.
Your child’s nutrition will be best served by eating a balanced diet that includes daily portions of the following iron-rich foods:
- Liver, beef, poultry, pork, lamb
- Tuna, salmon
- Shellfish
- Iron-fortified cereals and breads
- Dried beans, such as limas, soybeans, pinto and kidney beans, split peas, black-eyed peas
- Whole grains, including wheat, millet, oats, and brown rice
- Peanut butter and nuts, such as almonds and Brazil nuts
- Eggs (especially egg yolks)
- Dried fruits, such as apricots, raisins, prunes, dates, peaches
- Dark green vegetables, including leafy greens like spinach, kale, and collards, as well as broccoli and asparagus
- Blackstrap molasses
Interestingly, the body absorbs iron from animal sources (such as meats) better than iron from plant sources. You can also improve the ability of your child’s body to use dietary iron by serving iron-rich foods with drinks or other foods that are high in vitamin C (orange juice, citrus fruits, broccoli, strawberries, melon, other deeply colored fruits and vegetables). The ascorbic acid of vitamin C helps the intestine absorb iron more efficiently.
Anemia can be easily detected with a simple blood test. Different organizations have different recommendations regarding routine screening for anemia. Some organizations (American Academy of Family Physicians and US Preventive Services Task Force) suggest that screening be performed on 6- to 12-month old babies in high risk groups, such as babies who are:
- Preterm or low birthweight
- Living in poverty
- From families who recently emigrated from developing countries
- Being fed cow’s or goat’s milk
- Of African-American, Native American, or Native Alaskan descent
According to data in
Healthy People
2010, Mexican-American infants are nearly twice as likely to be anemic as are white or African-American infants. Because anemia may occur in any ethnic or social group, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all babies be screened for anemia once during the first nine months of life.
The exact amount of iron needed in the diets of children varies depending on age and gender. For example, because teenaged girls lose iron through menstrual blood, they need more iron than teenaged boys. Here are some basics on how much iron children need at various ages:
Age of Child | Girls | Boys |
|---|
6-12 months | 11 mg | 11 mg |
|---|
1-3 years | 7 mg | 7 mg |
|---|
4-8 years | 10 mg | 10 mg |
|---|
9-13 years | 8 mg | 8 mg |
|---|
14-18 years | 15 mg | 11 mg |
|---|
If your child is anemic, you should talk to your healthcare provider or consult a nutritional specialist to make sure that your child is eating a well-balanced diet rich in iron-containing foods.
If your healthcare provider thinks that your child needs to take iron supplements, you should discuss with him or her the best form of iron for your child to take. There are many types of iron preparations on the market, and you may need to try several to find one that your child tolerates. Your healthcare provider may encourage you to give your child a food or beverage containing vitamin C along with the iron supplement, to improve its absorption. If your child experiences any stomach upset from the supplement, you may be asked to give smaller doses several times a day.
If you are giving your child iron supplements, carefully follow your healthcare provider’s instructions because iron given in higher doses than the ones listed in the table above can cause serious symptoms in children. Never give more than the amount prescribed, even if you’ve accidentally missed a dose.
Iron supplements are the leading cause of poisoning deaths in young children. Even though our bodies need a certain amount of iron, excess iron can kill—especially when small children swallow iron supplements intended for use by adults. These supplements are brightly colored and frequently look like common candies. They can be very attractive to toddlers if not kept in a safe place with child-resistant lids. Never put the iron supplements into another unmarked or mis-marked bottle. Keep the supplements up on the highest shelf of your cabinet, preferably in a locked cupboard.
If you think that your child may have taken an overdose of iron supplements or other multivitamins that contain iron, immediately contact the Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222), your healthcare provider, or the nearest hospital’s emergency department.
