Iron is a necessary mineral for body function and good health.
Every red blood cell in the body contains iron in its , the
pigment that carries oxygen to the tissues from the lungs. But a
lack of iron in the blood can lead to iron-deficiency anemia,
which is a very common nutritional deficiency in children. About
Iron-Deficiency Anemia The body needs iron to make hemoglobin.
If there isn't enough iron available, hemoglobin production is
limited, which in turns affects the production of red blood
cells (RBCs). A decreased amount of hemoglobin and RBCs in the
bloodstream is known as anemia. Because RBCs are needed to carry
oxygen throughout the body, anemia results in less oxygen
reaching the cells and tissues, affecting their function. Iron-
deficiency anemia (IDA), often caused by insufficient iron
intake, is the major cause of anemia in childhood. It has become
much less common in the United States over the past 30 years,
primarily due to iron-fortified infant formulas and cereals.
Iron-deficiency anemia does