Some Toddlers at Greater Risk for Iron Deficiency

A Closer Look at Iron Deficiency

On top of possibly affecting a child's growth, iron deficiency may lead to long-term learning and behavioral problems if it isn't caught early. And it can progress to iron-deficiency anemia, a condition marked by a decrease in the number of red blood cells.

Unfortunately, because the body's iron supply is depleted slowly, a lot of kids with iron-deficiency anemia don't have any obvious signs and symptoms, so it can be hard to detect. But as the anemia gradually gets worse, kids may experience:

• fatigue and weakness
• pale skin and mucous membranes
• rapid heartbeat or a new heart murmur
• irritability
• decreased appetite
• dizziness or a feeling of being lightheaded

What This Means to You

You can find the essential nutrient in various kinds of foods, but the iron in meat sources is absorbed more easily by the body than the iron in plant foods. Some excellent sources that you can incorporate — or even sneak — into your family's everyday diet include:

• lean meats (like red meat, dark poultry)
• tuna and salmon
• egg yolks
• tofu
• dried beans, peas, and fruits
• leafy green vegetables (like spinach and broccoli)
• blackstrap molasses
• whole-grain breads
• iron-fortified breakfast cereals (preferably whole-grain, low-sugar varieties)

To make extra sure kids are getting enough iron at every age, it's also wise to: 

• Continue offering iron-fortified infant cereal until 18 to 24 months old.
• Keep milk to a minimum — no more than 16 to 24 fluid ounces (473 to 710 milliliters) a day.
• Serve iron-rich foods along with those rich in vitamin C (like tomatoes, broccoli, oranges, and strawberries) to help the body absorb more iron.
• Avoid serving coffee or tea at mealtime, which can reduce iron absorption.
• Monitor the iron intake of vegetarian kids and young athletes, who may require extra iron in their diets.
• Make sure teens are getting enough iron. Teen girls, especially, need additional iron to replace what they lose each month when they menstruate.

If you're concerned that your child isn't getting enough iron, talk to your doctor, who may run simple tests and prescribe iron supplements, if needed. But never give your child iron supplements without consulting your doctor first — too much iron can actually harm your child's health.

Source: "Iron Deficiency in Early Childhood in the United States: Risk Factors and Racial/Ethnic Disparities," Pediatrics, September 2007.