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Anemia is a condition
that is sometimes found in young children. It can make your child feel
cranky, tired, and weak. Though these symptoms may worry you, most cases of
anemia are easily treated. This brochure explains the different types of
anemia and its causes, symptoms, and treatments.
What is anemia?
Anemia is a condition that occurs
when there are not enough red blood cells or hemoglobin to carry oxygen to
the other cells in the body. The body’s cells need oxygen to survive. Your
child may become anemic for any of the following reasons:
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Her body does not produce
enough red blood cells. |
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Her body destroys or loses
(through bleeding) too many red blood cells. |
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There is not enough hemoglobin
in her red blood cells. Hemoglobin is a special pigment that makes
it possible for the red blood cells to carry oxygen to all the cells of
the body, and to carry waste material (carbon dioxide) away. |
Types of anemia
Iron-deficiency anemia is the most
common type of anemia in young children. It is caused by a lack of iron in
the diet. The body needs iron to produce hemoglobin. If there is too little
iron, there will not be enough hemoglobin in the red blood cells. Infants
who are given cow’s milk too early (before 1 year of age) often develop
anemia because there is very little iron in cow’s milk. Also, it is hard for
young infants to digest cow’s milk. Cow’s milk can irritate a young infant’s
bowel and cause slight bleeding. This bleeding lowers the number of red
blood cells, and can result in anemia. A lack of other nutrients in the diet
can also cause anemia. Too little folic acid can lead to anemia, though this
is very rare. It is most often seen in children fed on goat’s milk, which
contains very little folic acid. Rarely, too little vitamin B12, vitamin E,
or copper can also cause anemia.
Blood loss can also cause anemia.
Blood loss can be caused by illness or injury. In rare cases, the blood does
not clot properly. This can cause a newborn infant to bleed heavily from his
circumcision or a minor injury. Because newborns often lack vitamin K, which
helps the blood clot, infants generally get a vitamin K injection right
after birth.
Hemolytic anemia occurs when the red
blood cells are easily destroyed.
Sickle-cell anemia, a very severe
hemolytic anemia, is most common in children of African heritage.
Sickle-cell anemia is caused by an abnormal hemoglobin. Children with
sickle-cell anemia may suffer many "crises" or periods of great pain, and
need to be hospitalized.
Thalassemia, another hemolytic
anemia, is most common in children of Mediterranean or East Asian origin. If
you have a history of sickle-cell anemia or thalassemia in your family, make
sure you tell your pediatrician so that your child is tested for it.
Signs and symptoms of anemia
Anemia causes the following signs
and symptoms:
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Pale, gray, or "ashy" skin
(also, the lining of the eyelids and the nail beds may look less pink than
normal) |
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Irritability |
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Mild weakness |
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Tiring easily |
Children with severe anemia may
have the following additional signs and symptoms:
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Shortness of breath |
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Rapid heart rate |
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Swollen hands and feet |
Also, a newborn with hemolytic
anemia may become jaundiced (turn yellow), although many newborns are mildly
jaundiced and do not become anemic.
Children who lack iron in their
diets may also eat strange things such as ice, dirt, clay, and cornstarch.
This behavior is called "pica." It is not harmful unless your child eats
something toxic, such as lead paint chips. Usually the pica stops after the
anemia is treated and as the child grows older.
If your child shows any of these
symptoms or signs, see your pediatrician.
A simple blood count can diagnose
anemia in most cases.
Treatment for anemia
Since there are so many different
types of anemia, it is very important to identify the cause before beginning
any treatment. Do not try to treat your child with vitamins, iron, or other
nutrients or over-the-counter medications unless your pediatrician
recommends it. This is important because such treatment may mask the real
cause of the problem. This could delay a proper diagnosis.
If the anemia is due to a lack of
iron, your child will be given an iron containing medication. This comes in
a drop form for infants, and liquid or tablet forms for older children. Your
pediatrician will determine how long your child should take the iron
medication by checking her blood regularly.
Do not stop giving the medication
until your pediatrician tells you it is no longer needed.
Iron medications are extremely
poisonous if too much is taken.
Iron is one of the most common
causes of poisoning in children under 5 years of age. Keep this and all
medication out of the reach of small children.
Following are a few tips
concerning iron medication:
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Do not give iron with milk.
Milk blocks the absorption of iron. |
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Vitamin C increases iron
absorption. You might want to follow the dose of iron with a glass of
orange juice. |
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Liquid iron can turn the teeth
a grayish-black color. Have your child swallow it quickly and then rinse
her mouth with water. You also may want to brush your child’s teeth after
every dose of iron. Tooth-staining by iron looks bad, but it is not
permanent. |
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Iron can cause the stools to
become a dark black color. Do not be worried by this change. |
Preventing anemia
Iron-deficiency anemia and other
nutritional anemias can be prevented easily.
Make sure your child is eating a
well-balanced diet by following these suggestions:
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Do not give your baby cow’s
milk until he is over 12 months old. |
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If your child is breast-fed,
give him foods with added iron, such as cereal, when you begin feeding him
solid foods. Before then, he will get enough iron from the breast milk.
However, feeding him solid foods with too little iron will decrease the
amount of iron he gets from the milk. |
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If you formula-feed your baby,
give him formula with added iron. |
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Make sure your older child eats
a well-balanced diet with foods that contain iron. Many grains and cereals
have added iron (check labels to be sure). |
Other good sources of iron
include egg yolks, red meat, potatoes, tomatoes, molasses, and raisins.
Also, to increase the iron in your family’s diet, use the fruit pulp in
juices, and cook potatoes with the skins on.
With proper treatment, your
child’s anemia should improve quickly. Be sure to contact your pediatrician
if you think your child might be anemic.
The information contained in this
publication should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and
advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your
pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.
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