HEALTH - IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA
The body needs iron to make hemoglobin. If there isn't enough iron available, hemoglobin production is limited, which in turns affects the production of red blood cells (RBCs). A decreased amount of hemoglobin and RBCs in the bloodstream is known as anemia. Because RBCs are needed to carry oxygen throughout the body, anemia results in less oxygen reaching the cells and tissues, affecting their function.
Iron-deficiency anemia , often caused by insufficient iron intake, is the major cause of anemia in childhood. It has become much less common in the United States over the past 30 years, primarily due to iron-fortified infant formulas and cereals.
Iron-deficiency anemia doesn't develop immediately. Instead, a person progresses through stages of iron deficiency, beginning with iron depletion, in which the amount of iron in the body is reduced while the iron in RBCs remains constant. If iron depletion isn't corrected, it progresses to iron deficiency, eventually leading to IDA.
Causes of IDA
Iron-deficiency anemia can be the consequence of several factors, including:
Insufficient iron in the diet.Poor absorption of iron by the body.Ongoing blood loss, most commonly from menstruation or from gradual blood loss in the intestinal tract.Periods of rapid growth.
A diet low in iron is most often behind IDA in infants, toddlers, and teens. Kids who don't eat enough or who eat foods that are poor sources of iron are at risk for developing the condition. Poverty is a contributing factor to IDA because families living at or below the poverty level may not be getting enough iron-rich foods.
Iron deficiency can also cause the body to absorb more lead, which increases the risk of lead poisoning in kids, especially those living in older homes. The combination of IDA and lead poisoning can make kids very ill and can put them at risk for learning and behavioral problems.
During infancy and adolescence, the body demands more iron. Kids are at higher risk for IDA through these periods of rapid growth because they may not be getting enough iron in their diet to make up for the increased needs.
In infants, discontinuing iron-fortified formula and introducing cow's milk before 12 months can lead to IDA. Cow's milk is low in the iron necessary for infant growth and development and it often replaces the consumption of iron-rich foods. Milk decreases the absorption of iron and can also irritate the lining of the intestine, causing small amounts of bleeding. This slow, gradual loss of blood in the stool combined with low iron intake may eventually result in iron deficiency and anemia.
Symptoms
Many kids with iron deficiency don't show any symptoms because the body's iron stores are depleted slowly. As the anemia progresses, you may recognize some of the following symptoms in your child:
Fatigue and weakness
Pale skin and mucous membranes
Rapid heartbeat or a new heart murmur
Irritability
Decreased appetite
Dizziness or a feeling of being lightheaded.
Treatment
Treatment of low iron levels aims at correcting the deficiency of iron caused due to any underlying cause. However, before treating the deficiency, the doctor will try to correct the problem that gave rise to the condition. Secondly, if it is caused due to lack of diet, the doctor will advise the person to have a diet high in iron to correct the deficiency. Similarly, if the condition is caused due to pregnancy, then according to iron deficiency anemia treatment guidelines, the women should take supplements as the iron in her body is required as source of hemoglobin for the growing fetus. In case iron deficiency is caused due to bleeding ulcers, tumor or fibroid; the doctor will prescribe medication or may even suggest a surgery.In most of the cases, making changes in the diet and having high iron foods helps in iron deficiency anemia treatment. There are several foodstuffs that are high in iron and help correct the deficiency. You can go though Buzzed article on list of foods high in iron for a complete list of foods rich in iron. However, in some cases, treating the condition only with dietary changes may not help. In that case, the doctor may advise you to go for iron supplements which are available in different forms. Iron supplements help in correcting deficiency faster than the diet. Supplements are also prescribed to pregnant women to get rid of iron deficiency during pregnancy. The iron deficiency anemia treatment dosage in case of supplements, depends on the severity of the disease, the age of the person; and varies accordingly.
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