Dealing with anaemia in children

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Some common signs and symptoms of anaemia are pale or sallow skin, pale cheeks and lips, lining of the eyelids and the nail beds may look less pink than normal, irritability, mild weakness, tiring easily, napping more frequently, experiencing jaundice and even have dark tea or cola-coloured urine.

Anaemia: Some common signs and symptoms of anaemia are pale or sallow skin, pale cheeks and lips, lining of the eyelids and the nail beds may look less pink than normal, irritability, mild weakness, tiring easily, napping more frequently, experiencing jaundice and even have dark tea or cola-coloured urine. mia is a common problem. It is a problem where the patient suffers from shortage of red blood cells in the body. Red blood cells contain haemoglobin. Haemoglobin is a special pigmented protein. Its responsibility is to make it possible for the body to carry and deliver oxygen to cells throughout the body. Since the cells in your child's muscles and organs require oxygen to survive, a reduction in the number of red blood cells results in your child's body facing a lot of stress.

Some common signs and symptoms of anaemia are pale or sallow skin, pale cheeks and lips, lining of the eyelids and the nail beds may look less pink than normal, irritability, mild weakness, tiring easily, napping more frequently, experiencing jaundice and even have dark tea or cola-coloured urine. In case of severe anaemia, a child can also show symptoms such as shortness of breath, rapid heart rate, swollen hands and feet, headaches, dizziness and fainting, restless leg syndrome.

Even a low level of anaemia can affect your child's energy, focus and ability to learn and raise difficulties. On the other hand, if your child suffers from chronic iron deficiency, anaemia can lead to long term, permanent impairment of development. Most of the time, a simple blood count is enough to diagnose anaemia.

As a parent, you can prevent your child from iron-deficiency anaemia and other nutritional anaemia by providing them a well-balanced diet. Here are some measures that you can undertake as a parent to ensure that your child stays away from nutritional anaemias.

Avoid providing cow's milk to your baby until your child has crossed the age of 12 months. If you provide your child cow's milk before he is ready, it will result in blood loss in their stool. Furthermore, it will also result in the reduction of the amount of iron getting absorbed in their gut.

While Breastfeeding: It is to be noted that your child will receive an adequate supply of iron until the age of 4 months. Once they cross the period of 4 months, you should make sure to provide them additional supplemented iron until they start eating foods rich in iron. In this matter, seek guidance from your paediatrician about foods that are best for your child and also inquire how much additional iron supplementation you need to provide to your child.

Post 12 years old: When your child is older than 12 years, you shouldn't provide more than 2 cups of whole cow's milk to your child. Milk is a food, which has the capacity to make your child feel full. In addition, milk is low in iron and thus your child won't be hungry to consume other iron foods on feeling full.

Ensure balanced diet to your older children: Ensure that your children consume grains and cereals, which have added iron. Food like red meat, egg yolks, potatoes, tomatoes, beans, molasses, and raisins are other good sources of iron.

Ensure consumption of citrus fruits or foods high in Vitamin C: Consumption of citrus fruits or Vitamin C increases the absorption of iron in the body. Vitamin C helps in the absorption of Vitamin C that comes along with green vegetables. Iron in green vegetables usually come in a form which is difficult to absorb, and Vitamin C helps in the said purpose.

If your child has an inherited red blood cell disorder, the most convenient measure would be to approach a paediatrician, who will refer you to a paediatrichaematologist. Never ignore any symptoms. As soon as you see start noticing symptoms of anaemia in your child, approach and tell your paediatrician.

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