Dec 04 2008
Is your child anemic?
Has your child been getting tired very fast past few days? Has he been irritable? Does he look pale? He might be anemic.
Anemia occurs due to inadequate production of red blood cells (RBC) or excess destruction of these cells. Blood is not able to supply enough oxygen to vital organs.
Common Causes of Anemia:
1. Blood loss (e.g. Worm infestations)
2. Blood destruction
3. Bone marrow problems (e.g. Leukemia)
4. Prolonged diarrhea
5. Nutritional causes like deficiency of iron and some vitamins (B12, Folic acid).
Symptoms:
If your child has most of these symptoms, he/she is most probably anemic.
1. He gets tired very fast and he wont play with friends.
2. He is irritable.
3. His attention span has decreased.
4. He looks pale (especially look at his nails and eyelids).
4. He has craving for unusual objects like mud, furniture scrapings, wall scrapings etc.
5. He hasn’t been gaining weight.
6. He has frequent infections.
7. He has breathing difficulty and swollen legs (in very severe children).
What can you do?
1. Get a blood test done. The only way to diagnose anemia is by blood tests.
2. The doctor might ask for other routine investigations like stool examination (to look for worms) as well.
3. Make sure your kids’ teachers are aware of the condition.
4. Give iron rich food items like spinach, potatoes, tomatoes, egg yolks, red meat, dates and raisins.
For breast-feeding infants:
1. Do not give cow’s milk until the child is 1 year old as it lacks iron.
2. If you are giving your child semi-solid foods then add iron supplements such as cereal.
