When a baby is 6 months old, most babies will face the risk of iron deficiency. Once iron deficiency anemia occurs, it will affect the healthy development of the baby. In the human body, the role of iron is not small. It is one of the main raw materials for the synthesis of hemog

When a baby is 6 months old, most babies will face the risk of iron deficiency. Once iron deficiency anemia occurs, it will affect the healthy development of the baby.

In the human body, the role of iron is not small. It is one of the main raw materials for the synthesis of hemoglobin. Iron deficiency anemia may occur when the baby's body stores insufficient iron, resulting in reduced hemoglobin synthesis. Anemia will reduce the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, which will have a great impact on the baby's breathing, digestion, and circulatory system functions, as well as physical development and intelligence. Generally speaking, children with iron deficiency anemia are mostly between 6 months and 3 years old.

1. If you suspect that your child is iron deficient, it is better to do a blood test:

• The diagnosis of iron deficiency relies on ferritin in the blood:

Ferritin in children under 5 years old is less than 12ug/L, and in children over 5 years old is less than 15ug/L Iron deficiency can be diagnosed.

• The diagnosis of anemia also varies according to age:

6 months to 5 years old, hemoglobin HB is less than 110g/L, and 5 years to 12 years old is less than 115/L to diagnose anemia.

• Therefore, the definition of iron deficiency anemia is:

① 6 months to 5 years old, serum ferritin is less than 12ug/L, and hemoglobin HB is less than 110g/L.

②6 months to 5 years old, serum ferritin is less than 12ug/L, and hemoglobin HB is less than 110g/L.

2. Why does iron deficiency always bother babies?

This is related to the baby's growth and development characteristics and feeding methods.

Originally, the amount of iron stored in the body of a normal newborn is sufficient to supply the hematopoietic needs between 4 and 6 months after birth. However, if the mother does not absorb enough iron during pregnancy, she will not be able to store enough iron in the baby's liver. .

The most important thing is that with the rapid growth and development of the baby, if the baby's complementary food is not added in time or improperly, such as too little animal liver and meat intake, or the baby suffers from chronic diarrhea and other gastrointestinal diseases , Iron deficiency is more likely to occur.

Therefore, it is recommended that the baby should do a routine blood test when he is 4 to 6 months old to screen whether the baby's hemoglobin is normal. If there are any abnormalities, the doctor will recommend further examination. In fact, the key to iron deficiency anemia lies in prevention and timely supplementation of iron in the baby's diet.

3. Two major methods of iron supplementation for babies. Iron supplementation for babies can be divided into two major aspects: dietary supplements and iron supplements :

(1) dietary supplements

For preventive iron supplements and babies with mild iron deficiency, dietary supplements can be used. Iron supplements.

The iron in spinach and red dates, the so-called "iron supplements", is non-heme iron, and its absorption rate is very low, which is far from meeting the baby's iron needs. If you want to effectively supplement iron, you can eat more red meat, such as animal liver, pigs, sheep, and cattle.

(2) Iron supplements

If the baby is not adding complementary foods smoothly, or has moderate to severe iron deficiency anemia, food supplements alone are no longer enough, and iron supplements are needed.

Iron supplements are divided into inorganic iron and organic iron. It is recommended to choose organic iron. Organic iron includes iron dextran , ferrous succinate, ferrous lactate , ferrous gluconate , etc. It is best to use organic ferric iron, which has fewer intestinal side effects and higher absorption rate than inorganic iron. Suitable for human consumption.

4. How to choose iron supplements:

Faced with the dazzling array of iron supplements on the market, many mothers say they are dazzled. In fact, choosing iron supplements mainly depends on these three points: iron content and absorption rate, gastrointestinal effects It has little irritation and good taste.

Ferrous sulfate is a commonly used iron supplement drug, which can effectively replenish iron in the body and improve anemia symptoms. However, long-term use will cause more adverse reactions and poor tolerance in children. Iron dextran is a third-generation iron supplement preparation. It contains a large amount of complexes of dextran and iron, which is beneficial to increasing the iron content in the body and accelerating the improvement of children's diseases.

Iron dextran is a complex of iron and dextran, which is soluble iron. After oral administration, it is absorbed into the young red blood cells along with the bone marrow. It combines with protoporphyrin in the mitochondria to generate heme, promotes hemoglobin production, and then passes through the jejunum or duodenum. Absorbed into the blood circulation, thereby correcting the body's anemia.

Compared with traditional iron supplement preparations, iron dextran accumulates in the liver, spleen and other tissues in the form of hemosiderin or serum ferritin . It has a high absorption rate, less irritation to the gastrointestinal tract, and can reduce gastrointestinal tract stress. Discomfort and other adverse reactions; in addition, the oral liquid has a slightly sweet taste and is suitable for infants and young children.

Tips for taking iron supplements:

• Take the medicine after meals, and can take it with vitamin C. The dispersible tablets can be directly melted into the vitamin C effervescent tablets, which is more convenient to take and facilitates the absorption of iron;

• Try to avoid taking iron supplements while taking them. Foods or medicines containing more of the following ingredients: phosphate , carbonic acid, phytic acid , oxalic acid, egg yolk, tannic acid , tea, coffee, milk, etc.

• Taking iron supplements can reduce intestinal peristalsis and cause constipation and black discharge. Don’t be nervous. It is recommended to eat more fresh vegetables and fruits during iron supplementation.

Reference:

[1] Wang Pengguo. Effect of iron dextran and ferrous sulfate in the treatment of children with iron deficiency anemia[J]. Medical Equipment, 2021, 34(01):106-107.