Saturday, February, 11, 2012

Iron deficiency anemia - children

Table of Contents

Alternative Names

Anemia - iron deficiency - children


Prevention

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that all infants be fed breast milk or iron-fortified formula for at least 12 months. The AAP does NOT recommend giving cow's milk to children under 1 year old.

Diet is the most important way to prevent and treat iron deficiency.

Good sources of iron include:

  • Apricots
  • Kale and other greens
  • Oatmeal
  • Prunes
  • Raisins
  • Spinach
  • Tuna

Better sources of iron include:

  • Chicken and other meats
  • Dried beans and lentils
  • Eggs
  • Fish
  • Molasses
  • Peanut butter
  • Soybeans
  • Turkey

The best sources of iron include:

  • Baby formula with iron
  • Breast milk (the iron is very easily used by the child)
  • Infant cereals and other iron-fortified cereals
  • Liver
  • Prune juice

References

Glader B. Iron-deficiency anemia. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 455.

Heird WC. The feeding of infants and children. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th Ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 42.

O'Connor NR. Infant formula. Am Fam Physician. 2009;79:565-570.


Review Date: 03/16/2010
Reviewed By: Yi-Bin Chen, MD, Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)