IRON is needed to make haemoglobin, which is the part of red blood
cells that carries oxygen around the body. Iron
is also essential for normal
brain development in children.When there is insufficient iron, the red
blood cells become small and pale, known as iron deficiency
anaemia.Usually
iron deficiency develops because the child does not get enough iron from their
diet, however there are some other less common causes. Children with iron
deficiency anaemia may be tired, fail to grow at the expected rate, suffer from
recurrent infections, and have learning and behavioural problems.How can iron
deficiency be prevented? Most babies younger than six months of age will get
enough iron from their body stores at birth and from breastfeeding, or, if
bottle-fed, from iron-
fortified formula. Babies who are born very prematurely,
or have a very low birth weight, are at higher risk of developing iron
deficiency so they will usually be prescribed an iron supplement. Iron stores
start to run low at about six months of age, so it is generally recommended to
introduce iron-rich solids, such as iron-fortified rice cereal, into the diet
from about six months of age.Although there is iron in breast milk, babies who
are breastfed after the age of six months who don’t eat enough iron-rich foods
are at risk of iron deficiency. Toddlers and older children should be
encouraged to eat iron-containing foods such as red meat, poultry, fish,
fortified cereals and bread, and vegetables such as spinach and broccoli.Foods
containing vitamin C, such as tomatoes and citrus fruits, will improve iron
absorption. Cow’s milk is low in iron. Toddlers who fill up on milk instead of
food are at risk of iron deficiency.What is the treatment for iron deficiency? If
you suspect that your child may be deficient in iron it is very important that
you take your child to the doctor. The doctor will need to examine the child
and carry out blood tests to make the diagnosis.If the tests confirm iron
deficiency anaemia, treatment will usually include prescription of an iron
supplement by the doctor. Too much iron can be highly poisonous, so an iron
supplement must never be given to a child unless you have been instructed to do
so by the doctor.