Anemia caused by low iron - children
Anemia - iron deficiency - childrenAnemia 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.
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. Different type...
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.
Causes
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.
Lead poisoning
Lead is a very strong poison. When a person swallows an object that has lead in it or breathes in lead dust, some of the poison can stay in the body...
Symptoms
Mild anemia may have no symptoms. As the iron level and blood counts become lower, your child may:
- Act irritable
- Become short of breath
Short of breath
Breathing difficulty may involve:Difficult breathing Uncomfortable breathingFeeling like you are not getting enough air
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article -
Crave unusual foods (pica)
Pica
Pica is a pattern of eating non-food materials, such as dirt or paper.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Eat less food
Eat less food
A decreased appetite is when your desire to eat is reduced. The medical term for a loss of appetite is anorexia.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Feel tired or weak all the time
Feel tired
Fatigue is a feeling of weariness, tiredness, or lack of energy.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Have a sore tongue
- Have headaches or dizziness
Headaches
A headache is pain or discomfort in the head, scalp, or neck. Serious causes of headaches are rare. Most people with headaches can feel much better...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article
With more severe anemia, your child may have:
- Blue-tinged or very pale whites of eyes
- Brittle nails
Brittle nails
Nail abnormalities are problems with the color, shape, texture, or thickness of the fingernails or toenails.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Pale skin
Pale skin
Paleness is an abnormal loss of color from normal skin or mucous membranes.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article
Exams and Tests
Your health care provider will perform a physical exam.
Blood tests that may be abnormal with low iron stores include:
- Complete blood count (CBC)
Complete blood count
A complete blood count (CBC) test measures the following:The number of white blood cells (WBC count)The number of red blood cells (RBC count)The numb...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Hemoglobin
Hemoglobin
Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. The hemoglobin test measures how much hemoglobin is in your blood.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Serum ferritin
Serum ferritin
The ferritin blood test measures the level of ferritin in the blood. Ferritin is a protein inside your cells that stores iron. It allows your body ...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Serum iron
Serum iron
A serum iron test measures how much iron is in your blood.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Total iron binding capacity (TIBC)
Total iron binding capacity
Total iron binding capacity (TIBC) is a blood test to see if you have too much or too little iron in your blood. Iron moves through the blood attach...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article
A measurement called iron saturation (serum iron level divided by the TIBC value) can help diagnose iron deficiency. A value of less than 15% supports the diagnosis.
Treatment
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).
Outlook (Prognosis)
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.
Possible Complications
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.
Prevention
Eating a variety of healthy foods is the most important way to prevent and treat iron deficiency.
References
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.
Hypochromia - illustration
A decrease in the amount of hemoglobin found in red blood cells is called hypochromia.
Hypochromia
illustration
Formed elements of blood - illustration
Blood transports oxygen and nutrients to body tissues and returns waste and carbon dioxide. Blood distributes nearly everything that is carried from one area in the body to another place within the body. For example, blood transports hormones from endocrine organs to their target organs and tissues. Blood helps maintain body temperature and normal pH levels in body tissues. The protective functions of blood include clot formation and the prevention of infection.
Formed elements of blood
illustration
Hemoglobin - illustration
Hemoglobin is the most important component of red blood cells. It is composed of a protein called heme, which binds oxygen. In the lungs, oxygen is exchanged for carbon dioxide. Abnormalities of an individual's hemoglobin value can indicate defects in the normal balance between red blood cell production and destruction. Both low and high values can indicate disease states.
Hemoglobin
illustration
Hypochromia - illustration
A decrease in the amount of hemoglobin found in red blood cells is called hypochromia.
Hypochromia
illustration
Formed elements of blood - illustration
Blood transports oxygen and nutrients to body tissues and returns waste and carbon dioxide. Blood distributes nearly everything that is carried from one area in the body to another place within the body. For example, blood transports hormones from endocrine organs to their target organs and tissues. Blood helps maintain body temperature and normal pH levels in body tissues. The protective functions of blood include clot formation and the prevention of infection.
Formed elements of blood
illustration
Hemoglobin - illustration
Hemoglobin is the most important component of red blood cells. It is composed of a protein called heme, which binds oxygen. In the lungs, oxygen is exchanged for carbon dioxide. Abnormalities of an individual's hemoglobin value can indicate defects in the normal balance between red blood cell production and destruction. Both low and high values can indicate disease states.
Hemoglobin
illustration
Review Date: 2/17/2024
Reviewed 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.
All rights reserved.