Iron deficiency anemia in a 6-month-old child. Anemia in a child

Hemoglobin deficiency in young children is a common disorder. More than 70% of babies suffer from anemia to one degree or another. Anemia in children may be asymptomatic or may be expressed by characteristic symptoms. This depends on the degree of hemoglobin deficiency and the stage of the disease. You need to know that anemia is not a primary disease and refers to secondary symptoms of various disorders in the body.

Causes

What is anemia and what causes it? Anemia is a lack of hemoglobin in blood cells. Today there are several types of anemia, the symptoms and treatment of which depend on the causes of the development of the pathology. Iron deficiency anemia is most often diagnosed in younger patients. Basically, anemia in children occurs during the period of active growth. This deviation does not require drug treatment, and iron reserves can only be replenished by adjusting the baby’s diet.

The development of anemia in children under 1 year of age is considered dangerous. After 6 months of life, with improper nutrition, the baby’s body runs out of reserves of this element, and if the deviation develops, the baby may suffer from hypoxia. This often affects the physical and mental development of the baby. The consequences of advanced anemia in children can be mental, mental and physical disorders. With normal development in children under 6 years of age, the hemoglobin level should not fall below 115 g/l.

The main category of children with anemia in the first year of life are babies born with low birth weight, children from multiple pregnancies, premature babies and those who gain weight too quickly. However, the health of the mother during pregnancy can also affect the well-being of the child. So, if the mother had moderate to severe anemia while carrying the baby, the child will also be born with this pathology. These are not all the reasons why anemia can develop in children.

• Doctors consider the most common reasons:
• Congenital pathology.
• Artificial feeding.
• Overconsumption of iron by the body during growth.
• Premature birth.
• Pathologies in mother during pregnancy.
• Hemolytic disease.
• Frequent blood loss (for example, nosebleeds).
• Gastrointestinal pathologies.
• Impaired absorption and metabolism of iron.
• Pathologies of the liver and kidneys.
• Chronic infectious diseases.

In addition, the causes of anemia in children may lie in the fact that the hematopoietic system in children is not yet perfect and any infections, stress and even negative environmental factors can provoke iron deficiency. To prevent the deviation from becoming severe, you need to undergo routine tests and carefully monitor the child’s health. Remember that the development of anemia in children, the reasons for which may lie in hidden pathologies, must be identified in time. The success of treatment depends on timely diagnosis.

Symptoms

Symptoms of anemia in children are quite varied. In the latent form, the disease can be practically asymptomatic, but attentive parents can still notice some points that should be wary.

General symptoms for children with anemia are:

• Paleness of the skin.
• Poor condition of nails and hair.
• Increased fatigue.
• Moodiness.
• Poor appetite.
• Enuresis.
• Frequent colds.
• Dizziness.
• Rapid pulse.

As a result of a general blood test, anemia is detected in a child if hemoglobin levels are below 115 g/l in children under 6 years of age and below 120 g/l in children over 6 years of age. It is important to establish the type of anemia and identify the causes of its development. This is the only way to prescribe adequate treatment that will be effective for each individual child. Manifestations of anemia in children, symptoms of which can be different, should always alert the mother. If your child has at least one of the manifestations of anemia, immediately go to the doctor.

Classification by reasons

When interviewing parents, the doctor can already make a preliminary diagnosis as to why the baby has low hemoglobin in the blood. In modern practice, doctors use a classification system for anemia, which identifies the classic symptoms of a particular type of pathology. Anemia is divided into:

• Posthemorrhagic. This type of pathology occurs from severe blood loss. A child can lose a lot of blood in a short time due to injuries, operations, or intestinal bleeding. The classic symptoms of this type of anemia are shortness of breath, low blood pressure and rapid heart rate. On examination, pale skin is observed. Therapy in this case begins with stopping the bleeding.
• Hemolytic. Anemia in children of a hemolytic nature develops against the background of increased death of red blood cells. A blood test reveals a large amount of free hemoglobin. External symptoms include jaundice, enlarged spleen, and general weakness. Hemolytic anemia is most often a hereditary defect.
• Hypoplastic. With this pathology, the maturation of blood cells of leukocytes, erythrocytes and platelets is impaired in a child. There is a decreased formation of blood cells. Most often, the pathology develops against the background of intoxication with chemical elements or medications. The causes of this pathology lie in a hereditary defect. The diagnosis is made based on the results of histological analysis of the bone marrow.
• Dyserythropoietic anemia. Pathology develops against the background of an insufficient number of red blood cells. This may be due to both disturbances in the process of destruction and deviations in the process of cell division in the bone marrow. The symptoms of this pathology are very similar to those of hepatitis. The skin is yellow, the liver and spleen are enlarged, and bone deformation occurs.
• Hypochromic. This type of anemia in children is the most common and occurs from a lack of iron in the body. The pathology is characterized by classic symptoms of anemia.
• Megaloblastic. This type of anemia is caused by a lack of vitamin B12 or folic acid. Most often, the pathology is hereditary. The clinical picture is characterized by disorders of the nervous and digestive systems, increased fatigue, enlarged spleen, and jaundice of the skin. The diagnosis is made based on the results of a bone marrow test.

Treatment

Treatment of anemia in children, especially in the first year of life, is a necessity that can prevent the development of dangerous pathologies in the child in the future. Many parents underestimate the danger of anemia, but due to anemia the baby can suffer significantly. Children with prolonged forms of anemia often have mental and mental abnormalities; they are smaller than their peers. Often at school such children study poorly and have problems remembering information.

Behavior also leaves much to be desired; they are hysterical, capricious, and in the future they become uncontrollable.

Most often, anemia in children begins to develop after 6 months. It is at this moment that the mother needs to monitor the baby more carefully. You should not skip routine doctor’s examinations and blood tests. If anemia is not hereditary, it is acquired as a result of poor nutrition or large blood loss. Severe bleeding cannot be ignored, but the lack of nutrients in children’s food is a very common phenomenon. Most often, for anemia in children, treatment includes diet, physical therapy and vitamin supplements.

If anemia is detected in a child, parents must organize special nutrition for the child, normalize the sleep-wake schedule, and also ensure that special medications are taken. When there is already an iron deficiency in the body, it is very difficult to fill it with food alone. Proper nutrition can maintain the level of vitamins in the body, and you will have to replenish their reserves with pharmaceutical products.

Products

The diet for a child with anemia should be prepared by a doctor. It is important for children of the first year of life to introduce complementary foods rich in iron. For children, it is mandatory to consume liver and meat purees, egg yolks, and cereal porridges without milk. If the child is bottle-fed, you need to select special iron-fortified milk formulas. It is advisable to prepare all complementary foods at home from fresh and healthy products.

Older children are recommended to eat a lot of beef, liver, greens, legumes and cereals. You also need to include as many vegetables, fruits, natural juices, dried fruits and seafood in your children's diet as possible. The child should be given iron-containing foods every day, while eliminating milk from the diet. Vitamin C promotes the absorption of iron, so there should also be a lot of it in the child’s diet.

ethnoscience

Traditional medicine also has several effective recipes that can increase iron levels in the blood. For anemia, you can prepare a vitamin mixture that will not only replenish iron reserves, but also boost immunity, strengthen the heart and blood vessels, and also give you energy for the whole day.

You need to take equal portions of dried apricots, white raisins, black raisins, figs, walnuts, lemon and honey. Wash and grind all the ingredients in a meat grinder, pour in melted honey, mix thoroughly. Place the mixture in a glass jar and put it in the refrigerator. Take 1 tablespoon in the morning 30 minutes before meals for adults, 1 teaspoon for children, with a glass of water.

Nettle for anemia. To prepare the infusion, take 2 tablespoons of nettle leaves and pour 1 liter of boiling water over them, cover with a lid. The infusion should cool down. Take 1 glass per day.

You can cook soups based on the infusion.

Dried fruits for anemia. All dried fruits are rich in their vitamin composition. If it is not possible to prepare a vitamin mixture with honey, you can simply give your child various dried fruits throughout the day. Usually children who have not previously been given candy enjoy raisins and dried apricots.

Prevention

Anemia is easier to prevent than to treat. If the pathology is not hereditary, it is very important for the child to eat properly from birth. Studies have shown that children who are breastfed are much less likely to suffer from anemia. Mother's breast milk contains all the necessary nutrients in the required volume.

If you are breastfeeding, do not forget that you should eat healthy and varied.

After 6 months, as a preventative measure, you need to give your baby vitamin supplements. Despite the fact that there are a lot of different baby purees and juices on the market today, it is better to prepare them at home from fresh ingredients. Be sure to include meat in your baby’s diet. It is meat that has the highest iron content and is absorbed better than from plant foods. In this case, the meat must be chosen correctly. The richest varieties in iron are rabbit and veal.

It should be remembered that there are different types of childhood anemia. For this reason, self-medication of this disease can lead to unpleasant consequences. All vitamin complexes and iron-containing preparations, as well as their form and dosage schedule, should be selected by a doctor. If your child shows signs of anemia, go to the clinic. There, the baby will have a blood test, the cause will be identified, and the doctor will tell you how to treat anemia in your specific case.

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Anemia in children is a pathological condition characterized by a reduced hemoglobin content in the blood.

The most common causes of anemia in children are nutritional deficiencies and iron deficiency. Normal levels of hemoglobin in the blood of a child under the age of approximately six years are 125–135 grams per liter, the last acceptable limit is 110 g/l.

An increased risk of anemia exists primarily for children born during premature or multiple pregnancies, as well as those suffering from any concomitant intestinal diseases. The highest incidence rate is observed in children under three years of age, which is associated with insufficient maturity of the organs of the hematopoietic system and their increased susceptibility to negative environmental influences. Iron deficiency anemia occurs most often at an early age.

According to the World Health Organization, this form of anemia occurs in approximately 20-25% of all newborns. Among children under four years of age - forty-three percent, from five to twelve years - for thirty-seven percent. Experts also believe that latent iron deficiency anemia, which is not accompanied by clinical manifestations, occurs much more often. In order to prevent anemia, it is recommended to eat a full and balanced diet, spend more time in the fresh air, move actively, and get the required amount of vitamins and microelements.

ICD-10 code

D50-D53 Anemia associated with nutrition

Causes of anemia in children

• Lack of substances in the body responsible for the production of hemoglobin.
• Various pathological processes associated with disorders of the intestinal tract, in particular, with impaired absorption of nutrients that are needed for the production of hemoglobin.
• Deviations in the functioning of the hematopoietic system in the bone marrow.
• Anatomical and physiological immaturity of the organs of the hematopoietic system.
• Negative impact of unfavorable ecology.
• Presence of worms.
• Increased incidence of morbidity.
• Disturbed and unbalanced diet and nutrition.
• Lack of microelements in the body, in particular iron, copper, manganese, cobalt, nickel, as well as vitamins B and C, folic acid.
• If the baby was born much earlier than expected (premature pregnancy).

Symptoms of anemia in children

Symptoms of anemia in children are classified depending on the type and severity of the disease. A number of symptoms are common to all types of anemia. At the same time, its individual types can cause various accompanying symptoms. Only a qualified specialist can differentiate the signs and diagnose the disease. The most common symptoms of anemia in children are:

• Paleness of the skin.
• Tachycardia.
• Dyspnea.
• Feeling of tinnitus, dizziness, headache.
• Fast fatiguability.
• General state of weakness, lethargy.
• Poor appetite.
• Taste disorders (for example, a child may eat chalk).
• Brittle hair and nails.
• Muscle weakness.
• Deterioration in the appearance of the skin (for example, rough surface of the skin).
• Yellow skin tone.
• Hardening and enlargement of the liver and spleen.
• Frequent infectious diseases.
• Nose bleed.

Deficiency anemias in children

Deficiency anemia in children is the result of a lack of substances in the body that promote the formation of hemoglobin. They are more common among children under one year of age. One of the most common deficiency anemias is nutritional anemia. As a rule, it occurs as a result of malnutrition associated with insufficient consumption of substances that are necessary for the full growth and development of the child, for example, a lack of protein or iron. Deficiency anemia can occur in diseases associated with impaired absorption of substances in the intestine; weakened immunity (increased incidence of morbidity) and prematurity of the child during pregnancy can also contribute to their development.

Iron deficiency anemia in children

Iron deficiency anemia in children is divided into the following forms:

Asthenovegetative

This form of anemia occurs as a result of impaired functioning of the brain and manifests itself in the form of insufficient development of psychomotor functions. A child with an asthenovegetative form of anemia is usually irritable, has absent-minded attention and memory, and may experience bedwetting, muscle pain, and hypotension.

Epithelial

Symptoms of the disease include degeneration and atrophy of the mucous membranes, skin, as well as nails and hair. The child, as a rule, has poor appetite, heartburn, belching, nausea, flatulence, disorders of the swallowing process, the absorption process in the intestines is disrupted, and with a very low level of hemoglobin, paleness of the skin and conjunctiva may be observed.

Immunodeficiency

This disease causes frequent acute respiratory viral infections, as well as intestinal pathologies of an infectious nature. In most cases, children with this disease have low iron levels in the blood plasma and weakened protective functions of the body.

Cardiovascular

This form occurs with severe iron deficiency anemia. The child gets tired quickly, has low blood pressure, a rapid heartbeat, a systolic murmur is heard, and dizziness may occur.

Hepatolienal

The rarest form of anemia, usually occurring against the background of rickets and severe iron deficiency.

B12 anemia in children

B12 anemia in children is characterized by the formation of very large, abnormally shaped cells in the bone marrow, destruction of red blood cells inside the bone marrow, and a low platelet count, which leads to increased bleeding and difficulty in stopping bleeding. Also, with B12 deficiency anemia, a sharp decrease in neutrophils in the blood can occur, which is extremely life-threatening. With acute deficiency of vitamin B12, disturbances occur in the gastrointestinal mucosa and nervous disorders occur. Vitamin B12 deficiency often occurs due to impaired production of the glycoprotein that is responsible for its normal absorption.

The disease can make itself felt after suffering from enteritis or hepatitis, which is associated with impaired absorption of vitamin B12 in the small intestine or with its complete removal from the liver. Clinical manifestations of anemia include dysfunction of the hematopoietic system, as well as the nervous and digestive systems. During physical activity, tachycardia occurs, the child quickly gets tired and becomes lethargic. On the part of the digestive tract, there is inhibition of gastric secretion and a lack of hydrochloric acid in the gastric juice. A burning sensation may be felt on the tongue, the skin becomes yellowish, the spleen (sometimes the liver) is slightly enlarged, and the level of bilirubin in the blood is increased. For treatment, cyanocobalamin is administered once a day for one to one and a half months. After improvements occur, the drug is administered once every seven days for two to three months, then twice a month for six months. After stabilization of the condition, vitamin B12 is prescribed for preventive purposes once or twice a year (five to six injections).

Hypochromic anemia in children

Hypochromic anemia in children occurs as a result of a reduced level of hemoglobin in red blood cells. Diagnosis of the disease is carried out on the basis of a general blood test with determination of the number of red blood cells and hemoglobin level, as well as the value of color characteristics. With hypochromic anemia, a low level of hemoglobin in all cases is combined with a decrease in color indicators. The size and appearance of red blood cells also influence the diagnosis. In hypochromic anemia, red blood cells have a round shape, dark edges and a light spot in the middle. Hypochromic anemia is divided into iron deficiency, iron-saturated, iron redistribution and mixed type anemia. Symptoms of the disease depend on its form and may include such signs as a general state of weakness, dizziness, slowing of mental and physical functions, tachycardia, pale skin, etc. The following remedy is used as an auxiliary treatment in folk medicine: a glass of freshly squeezed pomegranate juice is mixed with lemon, apple and carrot juice (in proportions of one hundred milliliters), add fifty to seventy grams of natural bee honey, mix thoroughly and take two tablespoons three times a day warm. The finished mixture must be kept in the refrigerator; before taking, you must ensure that there are no allergic reactions and consult a doctor.

Aplastic anemia in children

Aplastic anemia in children is a type of hypoplastic anemia and is its most common form. When the bone marrow is damaged, the functions of the hematopoietic system are disrupted, the level of leukocytes, platelets and erythrocytes decreases. The etiology of the disease is usually associated with infectious or toxic factors affecting the bone marrow. Aplastic anemia often develops spontaneously and is acute. The skin becomes pale, blood is released from the nose, bruises form under the skin when touched, and a temperature reaction may occur. These symptoms require immediate medical attention, as this disease is characterized by fairly rapid progression. In most cases, treatment requires chemical therapy and transfusion of a suspension of red blood cells obtained from whole blood by removing plasma in order to normalize the functioning of the bone marrow. If there is no positive effect, a bone marrow transplant may be needed.

Hemolytic anemia in children

Hemolytic anemia in children is characterized by excessive destruction of red blood cells and can be hereditary or acquired. With hereditary anemia, increased destruction of red blood cells occurs with the release of hemoglobin from them. Defective red blood cells can remain viable for eight to ten days and are destroyed mainly in the spleen. The first signs of the disease can appear immediately after birth or be detected at any other age. With hemolytic anemia, the skin acquires a yellow color, becomes pale, and physical and, in some cases, mental development is delayed. The spleen and liver may be enlarged and hardened. Crises that occur with this disease can last seven to fourteen days and are accompanied by a temperature reaction, headaches, a sharp loss of strength, muscle weakness, decreased motor activity, etc. To relieve or alleviate the symptoms of the disease, surgical intervention to remove the spleen can be performed.

Anemia in children under one year of age

Anemia in children under one year of age is divided into anemia of newborns, anemia of prematurity, nutritional anemia resulting from malnutrition, post-infectious anemia and severe anemia of the Yaksh-Gayema ​​type.

Nutritional anemia occurs before the age of six months and is a consequence of a lack of iron, salt, vitamins and proteins. In most cases, it occurs in the absence of breastfeeding. The development of anemia manifests itself in the form of loss of appetite, pale skin, and muscle weakness. The stool is dry or clayey, and the liver may be slightly enlarged. The child is lethargic, gets tired quickly, and jaundice may occur. In severe forms of the disease, the mental and physical state is disrupted, the skin becomes excessively pale, there is an increase in lymph nodes and liver, body temperature rises, a murmur is heard in the heart, and shortness of breath appears. Hemoglobin levels drop sharply, but red blood cell levels may remain normal. In case of iron deficiency, it must be included in the diet. Treatment of the disease is aimed at correcting nutrition and eliminating the causes that cause it.

Anemia in premature babies

Anemia in premature babies occurs in approximately twenty percent of cases, while it is much more common during infancy. The severity of anemia is directly related to the gestational age of the child, which corresponds to the gestational age - the lower it is, the more severe the disease. In the first few months after birth, premature babies weighing less than one and a half kilograms and gestational age less than thirty weeks require a transfusion of red blood cell suspension in approximately ninety percent of cases. Anemia in premature infants is characterized by a progressive decrease in hemoglobin (ninety to seventy g/l or less), a decreased level of reticulocytes (preceding red blood cells in the process of hematopoiesis) and inhibition of bone marrow hematopoietic functions. There are early and late anemias in premature babies. The first, as a rule, develop in the fourth to tenth week after birth. The reticulocyte level is less than one percent, the maximum hemoglobin level is seventy to eighty g/l, the hematocrit value decreases to twenty to thirty percent. Symptoms of anemia in premature infants coincide with the symptoms of general anemia and can manifest themselves in the form of pale skin, rapid heartbeat, etc. In the development of anemia in premature infants, a lack of folic acid, vitamin B6, and microelements such as zinc, copper, selenium, molybdenum, as well as the negative impact of infectious agents. Late anemia in premature babies appears around the age of three to four months. The main symptoms of this disease are loss of appetite, paleness and dryness of the skin and mucous surfaces, an increase in the size of the liver and spleen, and acute iron deficiency.

Degrees of anemia in children

Degrees of anemia in children are divided into mild, moderate and severe. With a mild degree, the child becomes inactive, lethargic, his appetite decreases, his skin turns pale, and the level of hemoglobin and red blood cells decreases slightly. With moderate anemia, activity is noticeably reduced, the child eats poorly, the skin becomes dry and pale, the heartbeat quickens, the liver and spleen are compacted and enlarged, the hair thins and becomes brittle and brittle, a systolic murmur is heard, the level of hemoglobin and red blood cells decreases. In severe forms of the disease, there is a lag in physical development, muscle weakness, painful thinness, problems with bowel movements, excessive dryness and pale appearance of the skin, brittle nails and hair, swelling of the face and legs, disturbances in the functioning of the cardiovascular system, and decreased saturation of red blood cells. hemoglobin with color indices less than 0.8.

Mild anemia in children

Mild anemia in children may not have pronounced clinical symptoms, while existing iron deficiency provokes further development and complication of the disease. In such cases, timely diagnosis can prevent the progression of the disease. However, it should be noted that in some cases, clinical symptoms with mild anemia can be even more pronounced than with severe anemia. To make a diagnosis, it is necessary to take into account such factors as the level and average volume of red blood cells, color characteristics, the content and concentration of hemoglobin in red blood cells, the presence of iron in the blood serum, etc. There is a simple method for determining iron deficiency at home. If your urine turns pink after eating beets, you most likely have an iron deficiency in your body. In this case, you should consult a doctor.

Anemia 1st degree in children

Anemia of the 1st degree in children is characterized by a decrease in hemoglobin levels to one hundred to eighty grams per liter of blood. At this stage of the disease, external signs of anemia may be absent or paleness of the skin and lips may be observed. To correct the condition after the studies, the attending physician prescribes nutritional therapy and iron supplements.

How to treat anemia in children?

To correctly determine how to treat anemia in children, it is necessary to know exactly the causes and mechanisms of its development. If there is a lack of iron, for example, it is necessary to take iron supplements in combination with a complete and balanced diet. It is recommended to take such medications between meals or an hour before meals; the medicine should be washed down with natural fruit juices, preferably citrus fruits, if there is no allergic reaction. After normalization of the amount of hemoglobin, treatment should be continued, completing the full course. Complex treatment includes complete and proper nutrition, foods containing iron (beef, cod liver, milk, buckwheat, eggs, chicken and rabbit meat, semolina, beef kidneys, walnuts, etc.). Herbal medicine is prescribed for disorders of the digestive system and malabsorption of nutrients. To normalize the intestinal microflora and relieve inflammatory processes, mint and chamomile decoctions, as well as decoctions of rose hips, sage, oak bark, and St. John's wort are recommended for use. The complex treatment also includes preparations containing vitamins and minerals. For iron deficiency, the drug hemoferon is used. Hemoferon is taken orally half an hour before meals. The dosage is calculated based on body weight: three to six milligrams of hemic iron per kilogram of body weight. The approximate dosage for children under three months of age is 2.5 ml, from four to nine months - 5 ml, from ten months to one year - 7.5 ml, from one to three years - about 10 ml, from four to six years - 12.5 ml, from seven to ten years - 15 ml.

Treatment of iron deficiency anemia in children

Treatment for iron deficiency anemia is primarily aimed at eliminating the cause of the disease and replenishing iron reserves in the body with the help of iron-containing drugs. The basic principles in the treatment of iron deficiency conditions in children are the following:

• Compensation for iron deficiency with the help of medications and a therapeutic diet.
• Continue treatment after normalization of hemoglobin levels.
• Carry out blood transfusion in emergency cases only if there is a threat to life.

The drugs used in ferrotherapy are divided into ionic (salt and polysaccharide iron compounds) and non-ionic (part of the hydroxide-polymaltose complex of ferrous iron). The daily daily dose of an iron-containing drug is calculated taking into account the age of the child. The recommended daily dose of salt preparations containing iron for the treatment of iron deficiency for children under three years of age is 3 mg/kg body weight; for children aged three years and over – 45–60 mg of elemental iron per day; for adolescents – up to 120 mg/day. When using preparations of trivalent iron hydroxide-polymaltose complex, the daily dosage for young children is 3–5 mg/kg body weight. The positive effect of taking iron supplements appears gradually. After normalization of hemoglobin levels, an improvement in muscle condition is noted; two weeks after the start of treatment, an increase in the level of reticulocytes is noted. The disappearance of clinical symptoms of anemia is observed, as a rule, one to three months after the start of therapy, and complete replenishment of iron deficiency is observed after three to six months from the start of treatment. The daily dose of an iron-containing drug after increasing hemoglobin levels is half the therapeutic dose. If treatment is not completed, there is a high probability of relapse of the disease. For intramuscular administration of iron, the drug Ferrum Lek is used. The maximum daily dose for intramuscular injections for children weighing up to five kilograms is 0.5 ml, for children weighing from five to ten kilograms - 1 ml. The approximate duration of treatment for mild anemia is two months, for moderate anemia - two and a half months, for severe anemia - three months.

Nutrition for anemia in children

Proper and nutritious nutrition for anemia in children is very important. In the first months after birth, the baby should receive the required amount of iron through mother's milk. With the further introduction of complementary foods (at about six to seven months of age), breast milk improves the absorption of iron from other foods. Children who are low in weight, who are often ill, or who were born much earlier than expected are especially in need of monitoring their iron intake. Starting from eight months, the child’s diet should include meat, which is a complete source of iron, buckwheat and barley porridge. Starting from the age of one year, in addition to meat, the diet should include fish. Eating meat and fish products together with vegetables and fruits improves the absorption of iron from them. Taking vitamin C also improves the absorption of iron. Nutrition for anemia in children may include dishes and products from dietary table No. 11. Diet No. 11 includes foods high in calories, the required amount of proteins, fats and carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. The recommended diet is five times a day. Dietary table No. 11, recommended for feeding children with anemia, includes the following dishes and products: bread, flour products, soups, meat, fish, liver, cottage cheese, cheese, butter, eggs, buckwheat, oatmeal, pasta, peas or bean puree, berries, vegetables, fruits, natural bee honey, rose hip decoction.

Prevention of anemia in children

Prevention of anemia in children is carried out using laboratory blood tests in order to timely detect and prevent further development of mild forms of anemia. The local pediatrician, based on a general examination and laboratory data, prescribes the necessary preventive measures. The risk group includes children with a hereditary predisposition to this disease if the mother had iron deficiency in the body during pregnancy, late toxicosis, swelling or other factors that inhibit the process of hematopoiesis in the fetus. Also at risk are children with low birth weight; children who are bottle-fed and do not receive enough nutrients; children born during premature pregnancy. Children born during premature pregnancy are prescribed iron supplements for preventive purposes from the third month after birth until two years of age. Prevention of anemia in children also consists of a complete and balanced diet containing the required amount of proteins, vitamins and minerals. The child should eat meat, liver, eggs, fish, cheeses, cottage cheese, vegetables and fruits, and natural juices. To generally strengthen the body, it is necessary to lead a healthy lifestyle, walk in the fresh air, exercise and harden yourself.

Hemoglobin (denoted by the letter A), consisting of protein and microelements that enter the body with food, is part of erythrocytes - red blood cells. When exposed to oxygen, it oxidizes and gives color to the blood cell. If there is not enough hemoglobin in the baby’s body, anemia develops.

Anemia in a child: a slow disease

Anemia develops slowly and imperceptibly, the first symptoms appear only when the deficiency is already quite large and takes a long time to replenish. Typically, parents pay attention to pale skin, decreased activity of the baby, muscle weakness, and slowing of conditioned reflexes. If your child’s skin becomes dry and flaky, and sticks appear in the corners of his mouth, you should also be wary. Crumpling teeth, lifeless, dull and brittle hair indicate a similar problem.

In most cases, the disease is detected by chance, for example, based on the results of a general blood test in a child during a routine medical examination or before vaccination. Diagnosis of anemia in a child consists of clinical manifestations and laboratory data. During the examination, the doctor will definitely pay attention to the toddler’s rapid pulse and low blood pressure. To confirm concerns, a biochemical blood test will be prescribed. The final conclusions are based on the concentration of hemoglobin, the number and volume of red blood cells, the color of the blood and the level of liver and kidney enzymes in it.

Why is anemia in a child bad?

Hemoglobin has many functions, but the most important one is that it retains oxygen in the body, accumulates it and supplies it to all organs. Oxygen starvation (hypoxia) can cause various diseases. In tissues, hemoglobin is distributed unevenly: approximately 2/3 is contained in red blood cells, some is part of other proteins and some enzymes of the liver, spleen, etc. Hemoglobin is especially necessary for the normal functioning of the immune system; without it, it is difficult for the body to resist viruses and infections. And hemoglobin is also responsible for cleansing the body of carbon dioxide. It “catches” waste oxygen from the tissues and directs it to the lungs, which remove it out.

It is a fact
For normal development, the body requires many useful substances, each of them has its own tasks. Iron, vitamin B12 and folic acid are responsible for hemoglobin levels. Without them, it will not be possible to raise the indicator to the required level.

There is an opinion that a child’s hemoglobin level will not decrease if the baby eats meat, drinks pomegranate juice and walks a lot. In practice, such tactics do not always give positive results, because there are many more reasons for the development of hemoglobin deficiency in a child, and an unbalanced diet is only one of them. In diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, kidneys, bone marrow, and infectious processes, iron supplied in sufficient quantities is not absorbed and there is not enough hemoglobin in the body.

How to suspect anemia in a child?

Pale mucous membranes and skin, frequent stomatitis and colds, increased fatigue, and poor appetite can be used to suspect anemia in a child. In babies in the first months of life, the normal hemoglobin content is from 110 to 130 g per liter of blood. If the result is unsatisfactory, the child will be prescribed an iron supplement. For artificial babies, the doctor may recommend a formula enriched with iron. If a mother is breastfeeding, it is advisable for her to also take a hemoglobin test and, if its level is low, start taking similar medications. When it comes to food products, nursing women should focus primarily on meat: it contains the most natural iron. Meat dishes should be combined with fresh vegetables, berry sauces and freshly squeezed juices. They contain vitamins that help absorb maximum iron: group B, especially B12 and C. But dairy products, tea, coffee, cocoa, eggs, whole grain cereals simultaneously interfere with the absorption of the mineral.

Doctor's advice
Anemia can develop not only in children at risk, but also in a healthy child. To prevent its occurrence, you need to monitor the level of iron in the children's diet.

What to do if a child has anemia?

The body's need for iron is only 3.5 g per day. The faster the baby grows, the more iron he needs. And therefore, toddlers under 3 years of age are more susceptible to anemia. The next peak of iron deficiency occurs at puberty. To prevent iron deficiency in a child, the baby should receive it with food in the required quantities every day. In this case, the mineral must be well absorbed in the intestines. The first condition is easy to meet if the toddler’s menu is balanced. Secondly, if you do not give your baby meat with foods that interfere with the absorption of iron. For these reasons, you need to maintain at least a 20-minute interval between taking foods high in iron and those that interfere with its absorption.

It is a fact
Every day, 1 mg of iron is excreted from the child’s body through sweat, urine and other secretions. And the same amount enters it with food and is absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract. An imbalance will lead to mineral deficiency and a decrease in the child's hemoglobin level.

What to feed a child with anemia?

If the child’s hemoglobin level is not critical, then the doctor may limit himself to recommendations for including foods with a high iron content in the diet. Products are divided into heme foods, which supply a lot of iron (meat, fish, eggs), and non-heme foods (most grains, milk, vegetables, fruits). From the first group, the body “takes” up to 30%, from the second – only 7%. Since up to 90% of a baby’s diet consists of products of the second category, it is difficult to manage with one diet - preparations containing iron, vitamins C, B12 and folic acid in combination are required. The child can take drops, syrup, tablets; if urgent correction is required, injections are prescribed; in the most severe cases, blood transfusions are required, also known as blood transfusions or intravenous drips. The choice of drugs is the prerogative of the doctor, since only he can compare the characteristics of the course of the disease, the child’s weight and the tolerability of the drug. The course of therapy lasts 3–6 months. During the treatment period, it is necessary to conduct control studies: they will help determine the effectiveness of the measures taken.

Anemia in a child: a special case

If the body has enough iron and hemoglobin is low, the doctor will order a complete blood count to examine red blood cells. If they are increased in size, a second test will be performed - a biochemical blood test, which can reveal a deficiency of vitamin B12 and folic acid. This anemia is called megaloblastic and is less common. The disease has similar causes and is accompanied by persistent diarrhea. Treatment consists of replenishing the missing substances with the help of medications and diet. If parents take the specialist’s recommendations seriously, the child’s hemoglobin level will return to normal relatively quickly. And to avoid repeating what has happened, you will have to regularly take blood tests and monitor the baby’s nutrition.

Anemia- this is a pathological condition of the body in which the number of erythrocytes - red blood cells - in the blood decreases and the concentration of hemoglobin - the substance that carries oxygen from the lungs to all tissues of the body - decreases.

Of all anemias, the most common is iron deficiency (IDA), which accounts for approximately 80% of all anemias. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 500 thousand people worldwide suffer from IDA. The prevalence of IDA in children in Russia and developed European countries is: about 50% in young children; more than 20% - in older children.

Normal blood counts in children depend on age and differ from those in adults.

The number of red blood cells must be at least 4.5 - 4.1 million/l,
the hemoglobin level in children under 5 years of age is at least 110, and over 5 years of age - at least 120 g/l.

The daily requirement of a child's body for iron is 0.5–1.2 mg per day. In young children, due to rapid growth and development, there is an increased need for iron. During this period of life, iron reserves are quickly depleted due to increased consumption from the depot: in premature infants by the 3rd month, in full-term infants by the 5th–6th month of life. To ensure the normal development of a child, the daily diet of a newborn should contain 1.5 mg of iron, and for a child 1–3 years old - at least 10 mg.

Iron deficiency in children leads to an increase in infectious diseases of the respiratory system and gastrointestinal tract. Iron is necessary for the normal functioning of brain structures; if it is insufficient, the child’s neuropsychic development is disrupted. It has been established that in children who had iron deficiency anemia in infancy, at the age of 3–4 years, disturbances in the transmission of nerve impulses from the centers of the brain to the organs of hearing and vision are determined due to impaired myelination and, as a consequence, impaired nerve conduction.

Causes of iron deficiency in children

The reasons are very varied. The main cause of anemia in newborns is considered to be the presence of IDA or hidden iron deficiency in the mother during pregnancy.

• In addition, reasons may be:
• insufficient intake of iron from food. In this case, newborns who are bottle-fed with unadapted milk formulas, cow's and goat's milk suffer the most.
• increased body need for iron;
• iron losses exceeding physiological ones;
• gastrointestinal diseases, malabsorption syndrome;
• anatomical congenital anomalies (Meckel's diverticulum, intestinal polyposis);
• consumption of foods that inhibit iron absorption;
• blood loss (posthemorrhagic anemia);

taking certain medications, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, salicylates, coumarins, glucocorticosteroids.

• Which children are at greatest risk of developing iron deficiency anemia?
• premature babies;
• children from multiple pregnancies;
• large, fast-growing children;
• children born to mothers with iron deficiency anemia;
• children with manifestations of exudative-catarrhal diathesis;
• children with unstable stools;
• frequently ill children;

children who were early transferred to artificial feeding, especially if it is carried out incorrectly.

One-sided nutrition, irregular meals, hasty eating, dry food, overwork, sedentary lifestyle - these and other factors negatively affect hematopoiesis and can cause anemia in schoolchildren. And this, in turn, is inattention in class and poor performance...

What are the signs to suspect iron deficiency anemia?

Iron deficiency anemia is manifested by general symptoms. One of the main and visible signs is pallor of the skin, mucous membranes, and conjunctiva of the eyes. Noteworthy are general lethargy, moodiness, tearfulness, easy excitability of children, decreased overall body tone, sweating, lack or decreased appetite, shallow sleep, regurgitation, vomiting after feeding, decreased visual acuity. Changes in the muscular system are detected: the child has difficulty overcoming physical activity, weakness and fatigue are noted. Children in the first year of life may experience regression of motor skills.

In the second half of life and in children older than one year, signs of damage to epithelial tissue are observed - dry skin, roughness, angular stomatitis, painful cracks in the corners of the mouth, glossitis or atrophy of the oral mucosa, fragility and dullness of hair, hair loss, dullness and brittleness of nails, tooth decay (caries), retardation in physical and psychomotor development.

Depending on the severity of the disease, symptoms of damage to organs and systems are identified: cardiovascular - in the form of a functional heart murmur, tachycardia; nervous system - in the form of headaches, dizziness, fainting, orthostatic collapse. There may be an increase in the size of the liver and spleen. From the gastrointestinal tract, there is difficulty swallowing, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, perversion of taste - the desire to eat clay, earth.

If these symptoms appear, it is necessary to do a blood test to determine the level of hemoglobin, red blood cells and color index. If the indicators are normal, but the child has clinical signs of iron deficiency, it is necessary to determine the level of serum iron. When its level decreases below 14.5 µmol/l, the doctor diagnoses latent iron deficiency and prescribes treatment.

Treatment of iron deficiency anemia

Treatment of anemia should be comprehensive and based on four principles: normalization of the child’s regimen and nutrition; possible correction of the cause of iron deficiency; prescription of iron supplements; concomitant therapy.

In breastfed infants, iron requirements cannot be met only through milk. Calculations have shown that to meet the daily requirement for iron, a child must drink up to 15 liters of milk per day! Breast milk contains 0.3 mg/l of iron. And in cow's milk it is 5 times lower. Therefore, children from 5 months should be introduced to the diet with vegetables, and from 8 months, meat puree.

Formula-fed children should not be prescribed iron-fortified formulas. Unabsorbed iron can cause increased activity of opportunistic intestinal microflora and contribute to the development of dysbiosis.

You should pay attention not to the total iron content in foods, but to the form in which it is contained. Food iron is divided into heme (combined with protein) and non-heme (in the form of iron salts). Heme iron, which is found in meat products, is best absorbed. Plant products, although rich in iron, are significantly inferior to meat in terms of digestibility. Among plant products, citrus fruits, black currants, rose hips, peaches, dried apricots, legumes, parsley root, spinach, and dill are preferable. The role of apples and pomegranates as a source of iron is clearly exaggerated.

In the diet of older children with iron deficiency anemia, the intake of meat products should not be combined with dairy and flour dishes. They contain phytin, which interferes with the absorption of iron. Citrus fruits enhance the absorption of iron, so it is useful to drink, for example, orange juice with meals.

Plant fibers, bran, fats, salts of oxalic and phosphoric acid inhibit the absorption of iron. You should not drink meat dishes with tea, since the tannin contained in tea also inhibits the absorption of iron.

Iron deficiency conditions should be treated with iron supplements. For young children it is better to use liquid forms of drugs (hemofer, actiferrin), for older children - encapsulated forms or tablets (conferon, ferroplex, tardiferon retard, ferro-gradumet). For adolescent children, it is advisable to prescribe long-acting iron supplements (tardiferon, ferrogradumet), which are slowly absorbed and well tolerated. In any case, the drug and dose must be determined by the doctor. Modern drugs, as a rule, are combined and contain, in addition to iron, components that improve its absorption and tolerability, for example, ascorbic acid.

Iron preparations in the form of injections do not have a significant advantage over tablet forms, but they can give a number of undesirable effects: allergic reactions, deposition of excess iron in tissues, infiltrates when administered intramuscularly.

It must be remembered that in young children, iron deficiency is never isolated and is often combined with a deficiency of vitamins C, B12, B6, PP, A, E, folic acid, zinc, copper, etc. This is due to the fact that nutritional deficiency and impaired intestinal absorption, leading to iron deficiency, also affects saturation with these micronutrients. Therefore, it is necessary to include multivitamin preparations in complex therapy for IDA.

Contraindications to the use of iron supplements are:

• lack of laboratory confirmation of iron deficiency;
• sideroachrestic anemia;
• hemolytic anemia;
• hemosiderosis and hemochromatosis;
• infection caused by gram-negative flora (enterobacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella).

Rules for taking iron supplements

There are general rules for taking iron supplements:

It is better to take iron before meals, in case of poor tolerance - during meals or 1-1.5 hours after meals

Treatment should begin with small doses and, if well tolerated, reach the dose prescribed by the doctor within a week.

Take iron along with drugs that improve its absorption - ascorbic acid 0.1 g or wash down with citrus juice

To prevent dyspeptic manifestations, pancreatin is used (after meals); in children with intestinal dysbiosis, drugs that normalize the microflora (vitaflor, bificol, etc.) are used.

Criteria for correct treatment:

Clinical improvement – ​​reduction in muscle weakness after 5-6 days

Increased levels of reticulocytes (young red blood cells) after 8-12 days

Increase in hemoglobin level 3-3.5 weeks after the start of treatment

Normalization of hemoglobin levels on average after 1.5 months

Treatment with iron supplements should be carried out under the supervision of a physician, in sufficient doses and for a long time (at least 3 months) even after normalization of hemoglobin levels, in order to replenish iron reserves in the depot.

Preventive administration of iron supplements is indicated for children at risk for developing IDA:

• premature babies (from 2 months of age);
• children from multiple pregnancies, complicated pregnancies and childbirths;
• large children with high rates of weight gain and height;
• children with constitutional anomalies;
• children suffering from atopic diseases;
• those who are artificially fed with unadapted formulas;
• with chronic diseases;
• after blood loss and surgical interventions;
• with malabsorption syndrome.

Literature used
1. Your child's health. The latest reference book./Under the rivers. V.A.Alexandrova.Izv-vo Eksmo, 2003

Unfortunately, the number of patients with anemia increases every year. According to statistics, about 1/4 of the world's population suffers from anemia. In most cases, the disease occurs due to a deficiency of iron and other vitamins in the body. Much less often, the formation of the disease is associated with an imbalance.. Anemia of the 1st degree - practically does not threaten the patient’s health. First-degree anemia can be treated wonderfully on an outpatient basis. In a fairly short period of time, specialists manage to completely and without any damage to the patient’s health, restore the function of blood formation

Probably many people know what anemia is, since the disease occurs in almost every 6-7 inhabitants of the planet. Anemia is characterized by a sharp decrease in the concentration of hemoglobin and (red blood rings). For men and women, all indicators are different.

• Anemia that occurs after significant blood loss.
• Diseases caused by a violation of the red blood cell ratio and their components (aplastic, megaloblastic, sideroblastic, and those associated with chronic forms of diseases).
• Anemia, the formation of which is due to significant destruction of red blood cells.

Depending on the complexity and severity of the disease, three stages of anemia can be distinguished:

• Easy. If the hemoglobin level is in the range from 110-90 g/liter.
• Average. The amount of hemoglobin can fluctuate around 90-70 g/liter.
• Heavy. critically low indicators (below 70-75 g/liter).

Peculiarities

Almost every person who has even the slightest idea about the importance of blood in the body knows what grade 1 anemia means in an adult. This disease can be diagnosed in most patients, because the slightest deviations from the norm indicate the presence of grade 1 anemia.

There are a number of criteria by which type 1 anemia can be identified:

• The hemoglobin level is below normal by about 20% (in adults 95-115 g/liter of blood, in infants and children under 10 years old - 100-120 g/liter).
• A significant decrease in iron concentration (for men - 10-30 μ/mol, for women 10-20% less).
• A decrease in the number of red blood cells (for men 3.9-5.5 * 1012/l, for women - 3.5-4.5 * 1012/l, for children -2.5-3.0 * 1012/l.).
• below 0.8-0.9.

Causes

There are many causes of anemia, due to which anemia occurs. They are different for each age group. In addition, factors that contribute to the development of anemia differ by gender.

But it is still possible to identify some common causes of grade 1 anemia:

• Unbalanced diet (vegetarianism, various diets).
• Chronic diseases and inflammatory processes of the digestive system, which are accompanied by ulcerative neoplasms on the mucous membranes (ulcers, enterocolitis, etc.).
• Various injuries and injuries that are accompanied by extensive bleeding and lead to significant blood loss.
• Surgical interventions.

Among women

For women, it is worth adding a couple more causes of anemia:

• Frequent childbirth (once every 2 years). The female body simply does not have time to recover after significant blood loss.
• Early/late birth (before 18 years and after 30-35 years).
• Miscarriage of the fetus.
• Long-term and for fibroids.

In pregnant women

During pregnancy, you need to carefully monitor your health. Anemia in a pregnant woman can lead to:

• A woman may even periodically lose consciousness.
• To the manifestation of early toxicosis.
• The placenta may detach from the walls of the uterus.
• To hypoxia () and other disorders during fetal formation.
• The risk of bleeding during/after childbirth increases.
• To premature birth.

In men

Causes of anemia in men:

• Excessive physical activity (sports training or military service).
• Long-term and for diseases of the urinary system.

The child has

For children, especially infants, the cause of anemia may be:

• Prematurity.
• Impaired absorption of iron and other micro- and macroelements in the blood.
• Incorrect functioning of the circulatory system, or rather its defective formation.
• Worms (the impact on the child’s body of toxins that are released during the life of worms).
• Dietary disorders (early/late complementary feeding, unbalanced foods, etc.).
• Frequent.
• Impact of polluted environment on baby's health.

Symptoms

Common signs and symptoms of anemia:

• Feelings of weakness, fatigue. The person becomes more irritable. You may feel drowsy. As a result, performance is significantly reduced.
• Dizziness may occur. The patient is often worried, sometimes there may be noise in the ears or flashing spots before the eyes.
• Increased heart rate even with minor exertion.
• Appear at rest or with minor physical exertion.

Symptoms for different types of anemia may differ from each other. The symptoms of anemia are also influenced by the individual characteristics of the body. After all, each person is unique, and can react to a particular disease in different ways. The patient’s immune system also plays a significant role in creating resistance to the disease. Therefore, you should not diagnose yourself. If you have any health concerns, please seek advice from a specialist.

In children with first degree anemia, pale skin may appear. The child begins to eat poorly. In addition, he is lethargic and no longer interested in games. A child with anemia can fall asleep independently during the day (not according to a routine). Nails are brittle and brittle. The baby may experience shortness of breath even with minor exertion. A child with anemia often begins to suffer from infectious and viral diseases. Older children may complain of severe headaches, dizziness, and rapid heartbeat.

Diagnosis and treatment

In order to identify anemia, the patient needs to undergo a number of examinations:

• Examination by a doctor.
• (on the number of red blood cells, reticulocytes, platelets and, of course, platelets; hemoglobin and hematocrit levels; MCV (mean erythrocyte volume), etc.).

Additionally, the specialist may prescribe other types of examinations in order to confirm or refute the diagnosis.

Treatment tactics for anemia (anemia) should be prescribed exclusively by a doctor, after your diagnosis is confirmed by tests and other examinations. For iron deficiency anemia, it is recommended to use drugs with a high iron content (Fenuls, Totema and others). It is advisable to use the medicine orally, since if the drug is administered subcutaneously or intravenously, there is a high risk of an allergic reaction. Additionally, it is recommended to consume ascorbic acid, which promotes the rapid absorption of iron.

Depending on the type and severity of anemia, different treatment regimens are prescribed, the results of which may appear in 2-3 months, or even later. In addition, after complete recovery, an additional preventive course of taking medications is carried out for 3 months (at lower doses).

If minor deviations from the norms are observed, do not panic! You can correct the level of hemoglobin in the blood not only with pills, but also with nutrition. In addition, walking in the fresh air will help you feel much better.

Since in most cases of anemia occurs against the background of iron deficiency in the body, many experts recommend that patients consume more high iron content. In addition, the patient's diet for anemia should be enriched with many other vitamins, since it has been proven that iron itself is not absorbed.

• Egg yolk.
• Liver, beef heart, tongue dishes.
• Turkey meat.
• Dairy products.
• Nuts.
• Apples and peaches.
• Broccoli.
• Whole grain porridge.
• Dried fruits.

It is advisable to cook all dishes in a double boiler or eat them fresh!

Children under 6 months should not be given complementary foods! The baby receives iron and other vitamins from mother's milk or special infant formula. From 7-8 months, the child can be introduced to the diet with meat and fruit purees. Additionally, provide fresh fruit juices.

Traditional medicine recipes

Traditional medicine recipes for grade 1 anemia have been known since ancient times. All methods were tested by ordinary people. Therefore, it is not strange that many patients turn to ancient recipes to this day.

There are several ways to help cure anemia in adults and children at home:

• Rowan tea. You need 2 tsp. pour 2 cups of boiling water over the berries. Let it steep (about 30-40 minutes). It is recommended to drink tea ½ cup 2-3 r. for a day. This recipe can be used to brew blueberries or rose hips.
• It is recommended to brew soup from young nettle leaves. You will need a few young leaves, throw them into boiling water and let them boil for about 5-10 minutes. It is recommended to eat this healthy soup 1p. for 2-3 days.
• Mix the juices of pomegranate, carrots, lemon, apple and beets in equal proportions. Add 1-2 tbsp. honey The juice must be stored in a cool and dark place. Use 2 tbsp. 3 rubles each for a day.

There are many more folk remedies that will help cope with anemia. But still, before using them, consult your doctor. After all, you don’t know how this or that recipe can affect your well-being.

It is pointless to argue about whether grade 1 anemia is dangerous. Like any other disease, anemia can cause irreversible processes in the body. There is no need to treat the disease yourself under any circumstances.