Iron deficiency in babies can affect intellectual development. What is the best food for iron deficiency anemia?

Compared with calcium supplementation, which is popular among the people, not many people pay attention to iron deficiency. In fact, the dangers of iron deficiency in babies are more serious than you think! Let go of \”calcium\” and pay attention to \”iron\”! The damage caused by iron deficiency is irreversible. Hazards of iron deficiency 1. Iron deficiency anemia. Iron deficiency will cause a reduction in the number of hemoglobin in red blood cells, and a reduction in hemoglobin in red blood cells will lead to the occurrence of anemia. 2 Affects children\’s growth and development Children who are deficient in iron often suffer from delayed physical development and reduced health. 3 Affects the development of exercise ability. Children with iron deficiency have weak muscles, decreased exercise ability, and are prone to fatigue. 4 Affects immune function, reduces immunity, and causes repeated upper respiratory tract infections that remain unhealed. 5 Affects intellectual development Iron deficiency in infancy can cause neurodevelopmental damage, which is difficult to recover even after iron supplementation. 6. The risk of lead poisoning increases. When iron is deficient, the body\’s absorption of heavy metal lead will increase, thereby increasing the risk of chronic lead poisoning. How to tell if you have iron deficiency? Babies with iron deficiency are often in low energy, pale, prone to sleepiness, inattention, loss of appetite, and susceptible to various infectious diseases. However, symptoms alone are not accurate. Routine blood tests can be performed: 6 months ~ In a 6-year-old child, anemia can be diagnosed if the hemoglobin is less than 110 g/L. How to supplement iron? For most full-term healthy babies, the iron stored in the body can maintain the growth and development needs for 4 to 6 months; and breast milk also contains a small amount of iron. Although it is small, the absorption rate is high. Therefore, there is no need to supplement iron before adding complementary foods. Note: Babies born prematurely, with multiple pregnancies or pregnant mothers suffering from severe iron deficiency anemia have less iron reserves in their bodies and need to supplement iron in advance under the guidance of a doctor to strengthen prevention. When adding complementary foods around 4 to 6 months old, we must consciously add iron-rich foods. For example, iron-fortified rice noodles are recommended for the first complementary food. In addition to fortified iron rice noodles, the following foods are also good helpers for iron supplementation: 1 Food Iron supplementation The iron in foods is divided into heme iron and non-heme iron. Heme iron is easily absorbed by the body, and the absorption rate is about 5 times that of non-heme iron. Heme iron foods: contained in animals, such as pig liver, chicken liver, pig and duck blood, red lean meat, etc. It can be made into liver paste, meat paste, animal blood paste, fish paste, etc. for your baby to eat! Non-heme iron foods: mostly contained in plants, such as the iron in beans, green leafy vegetables, and fungus; the iron in egg yolks is also non-heme iron, because egg yolks contain a lot of phosphorus, and the iron contained in them is not easy to absorb! However, because egg yolks have good other nutrients and are easy for babies to eat, they are more recommended! 2. Supplement iron supplements. According to the test results, you should take supplements with food and supplements with medicines. Just follow the doctor’s instructions! Iron supplement recommendations: Vitamin C can promote the absorption of iron. While supplementing iron, you can also supplement with vitamin C (fresh fruits and vegetables, vitamin C preparations) to increase the absorption rate of iron. 2 Things to avoid: Calcium and zinc will hinder the absorption of iron, so avoid taking them at the same time when supplementing iron. Excessive iron intake can cause iron poisoning, so iron supplements should be supplemented according to the doctor\’s advice and the prescribed dosage. 3. In other cases, the stool may turn black during iron supplementation. There is no need to worry about this situation, it is normal. Don’t take iron supplements blindly! First, excessive iron supplementation can lead to iron poisoning. If you suspect that your baby is iron deficient, examination and comprehensive evaluation by a doctor are required., and then supplement according to the doctor\’s advice; secondly, the baby\’s anemia may be due to iron deficiency, but it may also be caused by other reasons, such as hemolytic anemia, thalassemia, etc., which require professional treatment.