Are you concerned that your child is not getting enough iron? What parents need to know | Health News
Destroyer The recent deaths of three young children In Queensland, linked to low iron levels, it has left many parents understandably wondering if their children are getting enough iron.
The good news is that life-threatening iron deficiency is uncommon.
But low iron is one of the most common nutrient deficiencies in young children. So it’s helpful to understand why iron is important and how to know if they’re getting enough of it. There are simple ways to help children meet their iron needs.
Why is iron important?
Iron helps carry oxygen throughout the body and plays an important role in brain growth and development, immune function, and learning.
If a child does not get enough iron, his iron stores are gradually depleted. Over time, this can lead to iron deficiency anemia, where their blood does not contain enough hemoglobin (an iron-rich protein) to carry oxygen efficiently.
Iron deficiency during infancy and early childhood has also been associated with poor cognitive, behavioral and motor development. Therefore, prevention and early recognition are important.
What signs may indicate that your child has an iron deficiency?
It can often be difficult to spot the early signs of low iron, as young children can experience these symptoms for a range of reasons.
Children with low iron may:
• More tired than usual
• Faded
• Irritable
• Less interested in eating
• Slower weight gain or growth
• Less active when playing.
Some children also develop pica, where they crave or chew non-food items such as dirt or paper.
Having one or more of these symptoms does not necessarily mean that your child has low iron.
But if you are concerned about their diet, growth, development or energy levels, it is worth discussing this with your GP, child health nurse or registered practicing dietitian.
How do health professionals check iron levels?
Iron deficiency cannot be diagnosed based on symptoms alone. If a health professional suspects low iron, he or she will likely recommend a blood test.
The blood test usually measures ferritin, which reflects the body’s iron stores, as well as hemoglobin, which helps determine whether iron deficiency has progressed to anemia.
A child can have low iron stores long before he or she develops anemia, so doctors often take blood test results and the child’s overall health into account.
Does drinking too much milk cause iron deficiency?
Cow’s milk can be part of a healthy diet for young children, but drinking large amounts of it can increase the risk of iron deficiency.
There are several reasons for this. First, cow’s milk contains a very small amount of iron. Second, young children who drink a lot of milk may be full before meals, leaving them with less appetite for iron-rich foods. Third, replacing a variety of foods with milk reduces the chances of eating foods that naturally contain iron.
Australian guidelines recommend limiting cow’s milk to about 500 milliliters per day after 12 months of age, while continuing to offer a wide range of foods.
What if my baby is still breastfeeding?
Breastfeeding continues to provide many nutritional and developmental benefits throughout the second year of life and beyond.
Breast milk contains iron, and babies absorb iron well. However, from about six months of age, breast milk alone no longer provides enough iron to meet a growing baby’s needs.
For formula-fed infants, standard infant formula sold in Australia contains iron in line with Australian Food Standards.
Whether the baby is breastfed or formula-fed, the Australian Infant Feeding Guidelines recommend introducing iron-rich complementary foods such as lean beef, chicken, chickpeas and baked beans from around six months of age, with continued breastfeeding if desired.
Practical ways to increase iron
Fortunately, helping young children meet their iron needs doesn’t need to be complicated.
Parents and caregivers can offer a variety of iron-rich foods throughout the week, including lean red meat, chicken, fish, eggs, legumes (such as baked beans or chickpeas in hummus), tofu and iron-fortified breakfast cereals.
If you’re choosing a breakfast cereal, flip the package over and look at the nutritional information panel or ingredient list. If iron is added, it is usually listed as a multivitamin and mineral. Examples include Weet-Bix and NutriGrain.
If your child enjoys plant-based sources of iron such as baked beans, lentils or tofu, offering them alongside vitamin C-rich foods (such as orange slices, strawberries, kiwifruit or bell peppers) helps the body absorb more iron.
Don’t worry if your child refuses a certain type of food. Many children go through phases of eating only a few favorite foods. The goal is to continue offering a variety of nutritious options over time rather than expecting a perfectly balanced diet every day.
Bottom line
Iron is an essential nutrient during early childhood. Most young children who are offered a variety of nutritious foods, including iron-rich foods, will meet their iron needs.
If you’re concerned that your child may have low iron, talk to your GP, child health specialist or registered practicing dietitian. They can evaluate your child’s diet, growth and development and determine if blood tests are needed.
Early recognition and treatment of iron deficiency is important, but the focus for most families should remain on providing a varied and interesting diet that supports healthy growth over time.
