Learn About Childhood Iron Deficiency Anemia

View Main Condition: Anemia

What is the definition of Childhood Iron Deficiency Anemia?

Anemia is a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells provide oxygen to body tissues. There are many types of anemia.

Iron helps make red blood cells and helps these cells carry oxygen. A lack of iron in the body may lead to anemia. The medical name of this problem is iron deficiency anemia.

What are the alternative names for Childhood Iron Deficiency Anemia?

Anemia - iron deficiency - children

What are the causes of Childhood Iron Deficiency Anemia?

Anemia caused by a low iron level is the most common form of anemia. The body gets iron through certain foods. It also reuses iron from old red blood cells.

A diet that does not have enough iron is the most common cause of this type of anemia in children. When a child is growing rapidly, such as during puberty, even more iron is needed.

Toddlers who drink too much cow's milk may also become anemic because too much cow's milk makes it difficult for the body to absorb iron. Also, children who drink too much cow's milk may not eat enough other healthy foods that have iron.

Other causes may be:

  • The body is not able to absorb iron well, even though the child is eating enough iron.
  • Slow blood loss over a long period, often due to menstrual periods or bleeding in the digestive tract.

Iron deficiency in children can also be related to lead poisoning.

What are the symptoms of Childhood Iron Deficiency Anemia?

Mild anemia may have no symptoms. As the iron level and blood counts become lower, your child may:

  • Act irritable
  • Become short of breath
  • Crave unusual foods (pica)
  • Eat less food
  • Feel tired or weak all the time
  • Have a sore tongue
  • Have headaches or dizziness

With more severe anemia, your child may have:

  • Blue-tinged or very pale whites of eyes
  • Brittle nails
  • Pale skin
Not sure about your diagnosis?
Check Your Symptoms
What are the current treatments for Childhood Iron Deficiency Anemia?

Since children only absorb a small amount of the iron they eat, most children need to have 3 mg/kg to 6 mg/kg of iron per day, in 1 to 2 doses per day.

Eating healthy foods is the most important way to prevent and treat iron deficiency. Good sources of iron include:

  • Apricots
  • Chicken, turkey, fish, and other meats
  • Dried beans, lentils, and soybeans
  • Eggs
  • Liver
  • Molasses
  • Oatmeal
  • Peanut butter
  • Prune juice
  • Raisins and prunes
  • Spinach, kale and other green leafy vegetables

If a healthy diet does not prevent or treat your child's low iron level and anemia, your provider will likely recommend iron supplements for your child. These are taken by mouth.

Do not give your child iron supplements or vitamins with iron without checking with your child's provider. Your provider will prescribe the right kind of supplement for your child. Too much iron in children can be toxic. Supplemental iron is usually prescribed to be taken by mouth, but may also be given intravenously (through a vein).

Who are the top Childhood Iron Deficiency Anemia Local Doctors?
Hematology Oncology | Hematology | Oncology
Hematology Oncology | Hematology | Oncology

Southern Illinois Medical Services Nfp

2 S Hospital Dr, 
Murphysboro, IL 
 21.4 mi
Offers Telehealth

Muhammad Popalzai is a Hematologist Oncology specialist and a Hematologist in Murphysboro, Illinois. Dr. Popalzai and is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Childhood Iron Deficiency Anemia. His top areas of expertise are Gallbladder Adenocarcinoma, Gallbladder Cancer, Large-Cell Immunoblastic Lymphoma, and Pleuropulmonary Blastoma.

Family Medicine
Family Medicine

Pinckneyville Community Hospital

5383 State Route 154, 
Pinckneyville, IL 
 1.4 mi

John Fozard is a Family Medicine provider in Pinckneyville, Illinois. Dr. Fozard and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Childhood Iron Deficiency Anemia. His top areas of expertise are Idiopathic Edema, Glucocorticoid-Remediable Aldosteronism, Hypertension, and Familial Hypertension.

 
 
 
 
Learn about our expert tiers
Learn More
Family Medicine
Family Medicine
801 N 14th St, 
Murphysboro, IL 
 21.4 mi

Evan Belfer is a Family Medicine provider in Murphysboro, Illinois. Dr. Belfer has been practicing medicine for over 26 years and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Childhood Iron Deficiency Anemia. His top areas of expertise are Vitamin D Deficiency, High Cholesterol, Childhood Iron Deficiency Anemia, and Chronic Cough.

What is the outlook (prognosis) for Childhood Iron Deficiency Anemia?

With treatment, the outcome is likely to be good. In most cases, the blood counts will return to normal in 2 to 3 months. It is important that your provider finds the cause of your child's iron deficiency.

What are the possible complications of Childhood Iron Deficiency Anemia?

Anemia caused by a low iron level can affect a child's ability to learn in school. A low iron level can cause decreased attention span, reduced alertness, and learning problems in children.

A low iron level can cause the body to absorb too much lead.

How do I prevent Childhood Iron Deficiency Anemia?

Eating a variety of healthy foods is the most important way to prevent and treat iron deficiency.

What are the latest Childhood Iron Deficiency Anemia Clinical Trials?
Study on the Association Between Iron Deficiency Anemia and Neurobehavioral Development and Cognitive Function in Children Aged 6 to 24 Months

Summary: The goal of this observational study is to explore the relationship between iron-deficiency anemia and neurobehavioral development in children aged 6-24 months. This study focuses on children who undergo health check-ups and blood tests at pediatric health clinics in Pingshan District, Shenzhen, China. The main questions it aims to answer are: How does iron-deficiency anemia affect children's neur...

Match to trials
Find the right clinical trials for you in under a minute
Get started
A Phase III, Prospective, Open-label, Multi-center Trial of Ferric Derisomaltose in Children 0 to <18 Years of Age with Iron Deficiency Anemia Due to NDD-CKD or with Iron Deficiency Anemia Who Are Intolerant or Unresponsive to Oral Iron

Summary: Several clinical trials have been reported for ferric derisomaltose where it has been shown to be well tolerated and to improve markers of IDA. All clinical trials with ferric derisomaltose have been performed in adults, however, IDA is not specific to the adult population. In fact, children are likely to develop IDA due to their rapid growth. The aim in this trial is to evaluate the efficacy and ...

Who are the sources who wrote this article ?

Published Date: February 17, 2024
Published By: Charles I. Schwartz, MD, FAAP, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, General Pediatrician at PennCare for Kids, Phoenixville, PA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

What are the references for this article ?

Marcdante KJ, Kliegman RM, Schuh AM. Iron-deficiency anemia. In: Marcdante KJ, Kliegman RM, Schuh AM, eds. Nelson Essentials of Pediatrics. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 150.

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute website. Iron-deficiency anemia. www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/anemia/iron-deficiency-anemia. Updated March 24, 2022. Accessed February 22, 2024.

Rothman JA. Iron-deficiency anemia. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 504.