Iron deficiency anemia is the most common form of anemia. You get iron through certain foods, and your body also reuses iron from old red blood cells.
Iron deficiency (too little iron) may be caused by:
An iron-poor diet (this is the most common cause) Body not being able to absorb iron very well, even though you're eating enough iron Long-term, slow blood loss: usually through menstrual periods or bleeding in the digestive tract Rapid growth (in the first year of life and in adolescence), when more iron is needed
Babies are born with iron stored in their bodies. Because they grow rapidly, infants and children need to absorb an average of 1 mg of iron per day.
Since children only absorb about 10% of the iron they eat, most children need to receive 8-10 mg of iron per day. Breastfed babies need less, because iron is absorbed 3 times better when it is in breast milk.
Cow’s milk is a common cause of iron deficiency. It contains less iron than many other foods and also makes it more difficult for the body to absorb iron from other foods. Cow's milk also can cause the intestines to lose small amounts of blood.
Iron deficiency in children also can be related to lead poisoning.
What causes Iron deficiency anemia in children?
Iron deficiency anemia is the most common form of anemia. You get iron through certain foods, and your body also reuses iron from old red blood cells.
Iron deficiency (too little iron) may be caused by:
An iron-poor diet (this is the most common cause) Body not being able to absorb iron very well, even though you're eating enough iron Long-term, slow blood loss: usually through menstrual periods or bleeding in the digestive tract Rapid growth (in the first year of life and in adolescence), when more iron is needed
Babies are born with iron stored in their bodies. Because they grow rapidly, infants and children need to absorb an average of 1 mg of iron per day.
Since children only absorb about 10% of the iron they eat, most children need to receive 8-10 mg of iron per day. Breastfed babies need less, because iron is absorbed 3 times better when it is in breast milk.
Cow’s milk is a common cause of iron deficiency. It contains less iron than many other foods and also makes it more difficult for the body to absorb iron from other foods. Cow's milk also can cause the intestines to lose small amounts of blood.
Iron deficiency in children also can be related to lead poisoning.