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 Anemia
What
is anemia and how can I tell if my child is anemic?
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:
-
Her body
does not produce enough red blood cells.
-
Her body
destroys or loses (through bleeding) too many red blood cells.
-
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.
Signs and symptoms of
anemia
Anemia causes the following
signs and symptoms:
-
Pale,
gray, or "ashy" skin (also, the lining of the eyelids and the
nail beds may look less pink than normal)
-
Irritability
-
Mild
weakness
-
Tiring
easily
Children
with severe anemia may have the following additional signs and symptoms:
-
Shortness
of breath
-
Rapid
heart rate
-
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.
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:
- Do not give your baby
cow's milk until he is over 12 months old.
- 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.
- If you formula-feed your
baby, give him formula with added iron.
- 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.
Published online: 6/07
Source: Anemia and Your Young Child (Copyright © 1997 American Academy
of Pediatrics)
Healthcare professionals may order
this publication in multi-copy packs.
Parents can find more information on this topic in
Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5.
To order a copy of this book visit the AAP
Bookstore.
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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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