1. What is iron deficiency anemia in infants?
Iron deficiency anemia in infants refers to a disease in which insufficient iron intake or malabsorption leads to insufficient iron reserves in the body, which in turn affects the normal production and function of red blood cells, leading to anemia. This disease is common in children between 6 months and 3 years old, especially babies between 6 months and 1 year old.
2. Why do babies need iron supplements?
Iron is one of the essential elements that make up human hemoglobin and myoglobin, and can help transport oxygen throughout the body. For infants and young children who are growing and developing rapidly, a large amount of iron is particularly needed to support the development of their body organs and tissues. If there is a lack of iron, it will affect the child\’s physical health and intellectual development.
3. How to determine whether the baby is iron deficient?
Whether a child is iron deficient can be determined by checking red blood cell indicators in the blood. But for parents, observing whether their children have the following conditions can also be used as a basis for judgment:
1. Children are easily tired and weak
2. Children are prone to colds and illnesses
3. Children have loss of appetite and are picky eaters
4. The child’s skin is pale
4. How to help babies supplement iron?
1. Food iron supplement: Foods rich in iron include red meat, poultry, fish and tofu. In addition, some fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C, such as citrus fruits and etc., can also promote the absorption of iron.
2. Iron supplement: If the baby is severely deficient in iron, a doctor will need to prescribe oral or injectable iron supplements. However, it should be noted that excessive use of iron supplements may cause constipation and other adverse reactions.
3. Check for other nutrients: In addition to iron deficiency, children may also be deficient in other nutrients. Therefore, it is best to conduct a thorough examination before giving your child iron supplementation treatment.
5. How to prevent iron deficiency anemia in infants?
1. Feed the milk promptly after delivery: Breast milk is rich in nutrients and iron, so it should be fed promptly after delivery to ensure full absorption by the baby.
2. Properly mix food: When adding complementary foods to your baby, you should pay attention to a reasonable mix of food and try to allow your child to consume a variety of nutrients.
3. Healthy lifestyle: A healthy lifestyle also helps prevent iron deficiency anemia in infants. , conduct regular physical examinations, ensure adequate sleep and exercise, etc.
6. Conclusion
For rapidly growing infants and young children, adequate iron supplementation is crucial. Parents can help their children prevent iron deficiency anemia through reasonable food combinations and timely breastfeeding after delivery. If the child has already developed relevant symptoms, he or she needs to go to the hospital for examination and treatment as soon as possible.
