Anemia is a common condition that occurs when the body doesn’t have enough red blood cells to deliver oxygen to different parts of the body. If you’re wondering how it occurs, whether it leads to complications, or how it is diagnosed and treated? Get all answers and learn everything you need to know about anemia in children in this FAQs section. At Doral Health & Wellness, we have all the answers you need.
FAQs on Anemia Screening in Children
These FAQs on anemia screening in children will help you know everything about it.
What is anemia?
Ans. Anemia is a condition in which the body doesn’t have enough red blood cells or hemoglobin to deliver oxygen to other parts of the body. It is a very common health issue in children that occurs when children are deficient in iron, which is an essential component in red blood cells or hemoglobin (which is a protein inside red blood cells that carries oxygen to other cells in the body). Iron is necessary to form hemoglobin.
How does it occur in children?
Ans. Usually, anemia in children occurs due to a lack of iron, which may be due to the following reasons:
- Diets low in iron: A child generally gets iron from the food. But their bodies only absorb a small amount of iron through food.
- Full-term newborns with healthy birth parents may have enough iron during the last 3 months of pregnancy.
- Infants who are born to parents with anemia or other health problems may not have enough iron stored. So, they need iron early on.
- At 4 to 6 months of age, the iron stored during pregnancy starts to decrease, and more iron is used as they grow. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises feeding your baby only breastmilk for the first 6 months, which doesn’t contain a lot of iron, and doesn’t allow infants to get enough iron through their diet.
- Older infants and toddlers may not get enough iron from their diets.
- Body changes: When children are in the growing stage, they need more iron to make more red blood cells.
- Gastrointestinal (GI) tract problems: Poor absorption of iron is also common in GI issues. This makes it difficult to absorb iron from food in the upper small intestine, which leads to iron-deficiency anemia.
- Blood loss: Loss of blood due to any reason can decrease the level of iron. It can occur due to GI bleeding, menstrual bleeding (in teens), or injury.
What are the symptoms of anemia in children?
Ans. Mostly, symptoms of anemia in children occur when the problem is severe. It includes:
- Increased heart rate
- Breathlessness or difficulty breathing
- Lack of energy
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Irritability
- Pale skin
- Sore or swollen tongue
- Jaundice
- Enlarged spleen or liver
- Slow or delayed growth and development
- Poor wound and tissue healing
Many of these symptoms also occur with other blood problems or health conditions. That’s why the doctor will recommend getting a proper diagnosis to rule out the condition.
What increases the risk of anemia in children?
Ans. Several risk factors can increase the risk of anemia in children, such as:
- Premature or low birth weight.
- Not having proper living conditions.
- A diet low in iron, or some essential vitamins or minerals.
- Surgery or an accident with blood loss.
- Long-term illnesses such as infections, kidney disease, or liver disease.
- Family history of inherited anemia.
How is anemia diagnosed?
Ans. To diagnose anemia in children, simple blood tests are used. The most common blood tests used to diagnose anemia in children are:
- Hemoglobin and hematocrit: This test is used to measure the amount of hemoglobin and red blood cells in the blood.
- Complete blood count: This test measures the red and white blood cells, blood-clotting cells, and the young red blood cells count. It provides more details than hemoglobin and hematocrit.
- Peripheral smear: In this test, your blood sample is examined under a microscope to see the structure and size.
- Iron studies: Blood tests are used to measure the amount of iron in your child’s body.
How is anemia in children treated?
Ans. Anemia treatment in children depends on the child’s symptoms, age, general health, and how bad the condition is. The treatment of anemia depends on the cause. Some types get better without treatment, and only minor dietary changes can improve the condition. Whereas, in some other types, you may need medicine, blood transfusions, surgery, or stem cell transplants. Your child’s doctor may refer you to a hematologist (specialist in treating blood disorders). Common treatment options may include:
- Vitamin and mineral drops or pills
- Changing your child’s diet
- Stopping a medicine that may cause anemia
- Blood transfusions
- Stem cell transplants
- Surgery to remove the spleen (very rare)
How can anemia in children be prevented?
Ans. According to AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics), these tips can help you prevent anemia in children, including:
- Starting from the age of 4 months, infants who are completely or partly breastfed can be given a daily iron supplement until they can consume iron-rich foods (not before that).
- Infants who drink formula milk don’t need iron supplements, because these already contain iron. More than 24 ounces (710 milliliters) of whole milk shouldn’t be given to infants less than 12 months old because it can prevent the body from absorbing iron.
- Infants and toddlers from 1 to 3 years old should start eating solid foods that are rich in iron, which include iron-rich cereal, red meats, vegetables, egg yolks, raisins, etc. Fruits with vitamin C are also important because they help to absorb iron.
Are there any possible complications of anemia in children?
Ans. Yes, your child can develop complications of anemia depending on what is causing it. Some types have minor complications, while others can lead to severe complications. It may include:
- Growth and development problems.
- Joint pain and swelling.
- Bone marrow failure.
- Leukemia or other cancers.
When should you see your child’s doctor for anemia?
Ans. You should see your child’s doctor for anemia if you notice any of the symptoms mentioned above.
As a parent, when should you consider anemia screening for your children?
Ans. Routine anemia screening is recommended to ensure that children who may have anemia without symptoms can be checked and treated early.
- According to AAP advice, anemia screening with a hemoglobin test should be done for all infants between the ages of 9 to 12 months. This screening performs a risk assessment and may also involve questions related to iron-deficiency anemia, such as feeding problems, poor growth, and special health care needs.
- If the hemoglobin level is low, more blood tests are recommended.
- If your child has a risk factor at any age, blood tests are recommended.
- Blood tests for anemia may be done as part of routine physical exams or checkups for children of any age.
Anemia screening in children plays an essential role in preventing and treating anemia. If undiagnosed/undetected, it may lead to severe complications mentioned above. Make sure you take your child for anemia screening as recommended to keep your child fit and healthy. Need help with anemia screening? If you ever have questions or feel uncertain about your care, we encourage you to speak up. Our team is here to listen and provide the clarity you deserve. For further inquiries, call us on +1- 718-367-2555 to get a consultation or visit us at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11212. If you need help, register your information and make direct contact with us at https://yuz88hfiyh7.typeform.com/Doralintake.
