Iron deficiency - children

Iron is an important dietary mineral that is involved in various bodily functions, including the transport of oxygen in the blood. This is essential in providing energy for daily life. Iron is also vital for brain development.

Babies, toddlers, preschoolers and teenagers are at higher risk of iron deficiency, mainly due to increased iron needs during rapid growth periods. Without intervention, a child whose diet does not provide them with enough iron will eventually develop iron deficiency anaemia. See your doctor if you suspect your child may be iron deficient.

Iron can be toxic

Iron is toxic in large doses. Avoid the temptation to self-diagnose and give your child over-the-counter iron supplements, because an overdose of iron can cause death. In infants and young children, 20 mg per day is the safe upper limit – most iron supplements contain around 100 mg per tablet.

It is important to keep iron supplements tightly capped and away from children’s reach, as iron tablets are often mistaken as lollies by children.

If you suspect an iron overdose, call your doctor or the Victorian Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 immediately or visit your local hospital emergency department.

Symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia

The signs and symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia in children may include:

• behavioural problems
• repeat infections
• loss of appetite
• lethargy
• breathlessness
• increased sweating
• strange ‘food’ cravings (pica) like eating dirt
• failure to grow at the expected rate.

Causes of iron deficiency in children

Major risk factors for the development of iron deficiency in children include:

• prematurity and low birth weight
• exclusive breastfeeding beyond six months (not introducing solids)
• high intake of cow’s milk in young children less than two years of age
• low or no meat intake
• vegetarian and vegan eating
• poor diet in the second year of life
• possible gastrointestinal diseases
• lead poisoning.

Babies, children and teenagers undergo rapid growth spurts, which increase their need for iron. The main causes of iron deficiency in children by age group include:

• Babies less than six months old – newborns receive their iron stores in the uterus (womb), which means the mother’s diet during pregnancy is very important. Low birth weight or premature babies are at increased risk of iron deficiency and will need iron supplements (under medical supervision only). See your doctor for further advice.
• Babies aged six months to one year – a baby’s iron stores run low in the second half of their first year. Iron deficiency can result if their diet doesn’t include enough iron-rich solid food. At around six months, two servings a day of plain, iron-fortified infant cereal mixed with breastmilk or infant formula can start to be given. Plain pureed meats can soon be offered with other solids, once your baby is used to the cereal. Late introduction of solids into the baby’s diet is a common cause of iron deficiency in this age group.
• Children aged one to five years – breastmilk contains a small amount of iron, but prolonged breastfeeding can lead to iron deficiency, especially if breastmilk replaces solid foods in the diet. Low-iron milks such as cow’s milk, goat’s milk and soymilk should not be given until 12 months of age. Children who drink milk in preference to eating solid foods are in danger of iron deficiency.
• Teenagers – adolescent girls are at risk because of a number of factors, including growth spurts at puberty, iron loss through periods (menstruation) and risk of under-nutrition due to fad dieting that restricts eating.
• In general – gastrointestinal disorders, such as coeliac disease, are a rare but possible cause of anaemia in children.

Suggestions for parents – babies

Some suggestions to prevent iron deficiency in babies less than 12 months of age include:

• Have an iron-rich diet during pregnancy. Red meat is the best source of iron.
• Tests to check for anaemia should be conducted during pregnancy. If your doctor prescribes iron supplements, take them only according to instructions.
• Breastfeed your baby or choose iron-fortified infant formulas.
• Don’t give your baby cow’s milk or other fluids that may displace iron-rich solid foods before 12 months of age.
• Don’t delay the introduction of solid foods. Start giving your baby pureed foods when they are around six months of age. Fortified baby cereal made with iron-fortified infant formula or breastmilk is generally the first food to offer. This is because of its iron content, but also because its texture is easy to change. Introduce soft lumpy foods or mashed foods at around seven months.

Suggestions for parents – young children

To prevent iron deficiency in toddlers and preschoolers:

• Include lean red meat three to four times a week. Offer meat alternatives such as dried beans, lentils, chickpeas, canned beans, poultry, fish, eggs and small amounts of nuts and nut pastes. These are important sources of iron in your child’s daily diet. If your family follows a vegan or vegetarian diet, you may need to seek advice from a dietitian to ensure you are meeting all your child’s dietary needs.
• Include vitamin C as this helps the body to absorb more iron. Make sure your child has plenty of foods rich in vitamin C like oranges, lemons, mandarins, berries, kiwifruit, tomatoes, cabbage, capsicum and broccoli.
• Encourage solid foods at mealtimes and take care that toddlers are not ‘filling up’ on drinks between meals.
• Remember that chronic diarrhoea can deplete your child’s iron stores, while intestinal parasites such as worms can cause iron deficiency. See your doctor for prompt diagnosis and treatment.
• Fussy eaters may be at risk due to poor intake or lack of variety in the foods they eat. Seek advice from your dietitian, local doctor or child health nurse on how to manage a fussy eater, or browse the Better Health Channel site for more information.

Suggestions for parents – teenagers

To prevent iron deficiency in teenagers:

• Talk to your child about the importance of iron. Help them become informed enough to make their own responsible food choices.
• Encourage iron-rich foods and meals, such as iron-fortified breakfast cereals and breads, and serve meat, poultry or fish with the evening meal.
• Offer good sources of non-haem iron such as dried beans, lentils, peas, broccoli, spinach, beans, fortified cereals, breads and whole grains if your child wants to avoid red meat or become vegetarian. Vitamin C-rich foods should also be encouraged, such as fruits or vegetables with meals.
• Encourage only moderate amounts of tea and coffee, as these can interfere with iron absorption.

Diagnosis of iron deficiency

It is important that you see your doctor if you suspect your child may be iron deficient. Diagnosis aims to exclude other illnesses that can have similar symptoms, such as coeliac disease.

Diagnosis methods include:

• physical examination
• medical history
• blood tests.

Treatment for iron deficiency

Treatment may include:

• dietary changes, such as increasing the amount of iron-rich foods
• iron supplements (tablets or liquid for infants and young children) – under medical supervision only
• treatment for infection, as infection is sometimes the cause of mild anaemia in children.

Where to get help

• Your doctor
• Dietitians Association of Australia Tel. 1800 812 942
• Maternal and Child Health Line, Victoria (24 hours) Tel. 13 22 29
• Royal Children’s Hospital Tel. (03) 9345 5522
• Victorian Poisons Information Centre Tel. 13 11 26 – seven days a week, 24 hours a day – for advice about poisonings, suspected poisonings, bites and stings, mistakes with medicines and poisoning prevention advice.

Things to remember

• Babies, toddlers, preschoolers and teenagers are at risk of developing iron deficiency, mainly because their increased needs for iron may not be met if their diets are inadequate.
• If you are following a vegetarian or vegan diet, extra care needs to be taken to ensure you are getting enough iron in your diet.
• Keep iron supplements away from children – overdoses can be fatal in young children and infants.

You might also be interested in:

• Anaemia.
  
• Haemochromatosis.
  
• Healthy eating tips.
  
• Iron.
  
• Iron deficiency - adults.
  

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Deakin University - School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences

Fact sheet currently being reviewed.
Last reviewed: September 2012

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<a href="http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Iron_deficiency_children?open">Iron deficiency - children - Better Health Channel</a><br/>
Babies, toddlers, preschoolers and teenagers are at higher risk of iron deficiency, because their increased needs for iron may not be met if their diet is not balanced. Treatment for iron deficiency anaemia in children starts with dietary change, but may include iron supplements (under medical supervision only). Iron supplements are toxic in large doses, so keep supplements out of reach of children.

Content on this website is provided for education and information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to replace advice from your qualified health professional. Content has been prepared for Victorian residence and wider Australian audiences, and was accurate at the time of publication. Readers should note that over time currency and completeness of the information may change. All users are urged to always seek advice from a qualified health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions.

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