Anemia is a blood disorder that occurs when children do not have enough red blood cells. Red blood cells have a protein called hemoglobin that carries oxygen to different body parts. When the body doesn’t produce enough red blood cells, there is insufficient oxygen in children’s bodies, making them weak and tired. The condition can also damage organs and tissues (1). Anemia is a common disorder, occurring in around 20% of children in the US at some point in their lives. It happens when the body is not producing, losing, or destroying red blood cells quickly (2). Read the post to know about the types, causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment for anemia in children.
What Are The Types Of Anemia In Children?
There are several types of anemia — some are mild and temporary, while others are chronic and life-threatening (1) (2). a. Sickle cell anemia occurs when children’s bone marrow makes sticky, curved, and stiff red blood cells instead of normal, round, and flexible ones. This clogs the blood vessels and affects the oxygen flow, giving rise to pain and complications. b. Thalassemia or Cooley’s anemia is an inherited blood disorder where the bone marrow starts making fewer red blood cells and abnormal hemoglobin.
What Causes Anemia In Children?
Children can be anemic because of these reasons (4):
What Are The Symptoms Of Anemia In Children?
The common symptoms in children with anemia are (2) (4):
Pale and yellow skin
Yellow skin and eyes, and dark-colored urine (in children with red blood cell destruction) Pale cheeks and lips Pale nail beds and lining of the eyelids Feeling of irritation Weakness and fatigue Feeling sleepy more often
Other symptoms of severe anemia are (2) (4):
Breathlessness Increased heart rate Swelling in hands and feet Headaches Dizziness or vertigo Irregular menstruation Absence or delay of menstrual cycles Restless leg syndrome Sore or swollen tongue Enlarged spleen or liver Delayed growth and development Delayed wound healing
Who Is At Risk Of Being Anemic?
The risk factors for anemia in children include (2)
Premature or low-birth-weight infants Living in poverty Inability to consume foods rich in iron Consuming too much cow’s milk Surgery or accident with blood loss Kidney or liver infections Diet low in iron, vitamins, and minerals Family history (inheritance of red blood cell disorder such as sickle cell anemia) Drinking unboiled water (causes parasitic infection leading to intestinal bleeding-induced anemia) (6) Infectious diseases, such as pneumonia and tuberculosis (6)
How Is Anemia Diagnosed In Children?
In most children, anemia is diagnosed during routine screening. Some diagnostic tests include:
The first screening for anemia is done through the hemoglobin and hematocrit test. It helps know the concentration of hemoglobin and the number of red blood cells in the blood.
Complete blood count gives more details about the blood. It helps the doctors understand the concentration of different blood cells and the size of red blood cells (mean corpuscular volume). Peripheral smear involves examining a smear of the blood sample under a microscope. It helps understand the type of anemia in children. Reticulocyte count allows doctors to examine the level of reticulocytes (immature blood cells) in a child’s body. High reticulocyte count indicates too many red blood cells being lost, whereas a low reticulocyte count indicates not enough red blood cells being made.
How Is Anemia Treated In Children?
The treatment of anemia depends on the (7)
Cause of the condition Child’s age, general health, and medical history Severity of the condition Type of anemia Children’s tolerance for medications and treatment procedures
Anemia may be treated in the following ways (7):
Giving supplements rich in folic acid, iron, and vitamin B-12 (6) Changing the diet Discontinuing medications that may be causing the condition Treating the disorder that may have caused anemia Blood transfusions
Giving antibiotics to treat infections Removing the spleen, in case of hemolytic anemia Bone marrow transplant, in case of aplastic anemia
What Are The Home Remedies For Anemia In Children?
Some home remedies that may help treat a child with anemia are:
Drinking beetroot juice regularly increases the hemoglobin level, as it is rich in folic acid (9) (10). Combinations such as bell pepper and bean salad, spinach with lemon juice, and fortified berries and cereals are good sources of iron that help treat iron-deficiency anemia (11). Consuming food prepared in iron utensils to treat anemia. This food will absorb iron from the vessel (10). Sugarcane molasses is rich in iron, so its consumption helps treat iron-deficiency anemia (12). Dates are rich in iron, vitamin C and fiber. Therefore, they help improve hemoglobin levels (13). Other iron-rich foods such as red meat, organ meats, seafood, nuts, dark leafy vegetables, bananas, peas, and lentils also help treat anemia (14).
How Is Anemia Prevented In Children?
It is difficult to prevent anemia that is inherited. However, anemia related to iron and nutritional deficiencies may be prevented in the following ways (4):
Do not give cow’s milk to children before they are one-year-old. The milk can cause blood loss in the stool and inhibit absorption in the intestine. Breastfed children get enough iron until the age of four months. After four months, infants need iron supplementation to help prevent anemia. Ensure that you give iron-fortified formula milk to your children if they are not breastfed. Do not give more than two cups of milk to children above one year. This will ensure they eat a balanced diet that fulfills their daily iron requirement. Ensure that your older children have healthy foods such as egg yolks, beans, meat, vegetables, nuts, and grains. Add sources of vitamin C to the diet because it enhances iron absorption in the body.
