Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body using a protein called hemoglobin.. If the number of these cells or the amount of this protein is not sufficient, Anemia occurs in children and infants.. In some cases, anemia is temporary and is caused by nutrient deficiencies or bleeding.. But sometimes, it is caused by hereditary, chronic or hereditary diseases.. Cancer.

Most anemias are mild and easily treated, but certain types can be severe, chronic, or even life-threatening.... To learn more about the symptoms and causes of anemia in children and infants and how to treat it, read today's GCORP LLC article to the end.

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Types of anemia in children and infants

There are different types of anemia that your child may have:

• Anemia due to iron deficiency: It is the most common type of anemia and occurs when there is not enough iron in the blood of the child. Iron is necessary for the formation of hemoglobin.
• Megaloblastic anemia: Red blood cells become too large due to the lack of folate (vitamin B9) or vitamin B12. One of the types of megaloblastic anemia is pernicious anemia, which is caused by the malabsorption of vitamin B12... This vitamin plays a role in the production of red blood cells.
• Hemolytic anemia: Red blood cells are destroyed faster than normal.... Hemolytic anemia has various causes, such as: serious infections or the use of certain drugs.

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• Sickle cell anemia: It is a type of hereditary anemia characterized by abnormal red blood cells.
• Aplastic anemia: The child's bone marrow does not produce enough new red blood cells.
• Thalassemia: is a group of inherited blood disorders that cause the child's bone marrow to produce abnormal hemoglobin. The symptoms depend on the type and severity of the disease, but may lead to insufficient production of red blood cells or hemoglobin.
• Diamond-Blackfan Anemia: This is an inherited disease that affects the bone marrow.. In the bone marrow, there are stem cells that can turn into red blood cells.

Read more: What causes anemia?

Symptoms of anemia in children and infants

Each child can experience the symptoms of anemia in a different way. On the other hand, if the anemia is mild, the child may not have any symptoms. The most common symptoms of anemia in children and infants are:

• Pale skin, lips, hands or under the eyelids
• Lack of energy or fatigue
Cold hands and feet
• sore or swelling of the tongue (glossitis)
• Yellowing of the skin, eyes and mouth
Enlargement of the spleen (splenomegaly) or liver (hepatomegaly)...
• Growth delay
• Disturbance in wound healing

A child with severe anemia may also experience the following symptoms:

• dizziness
• Headache
• Heart rhythm problems (such as fast heartbeat)
• shortness of breath
Swelling of hands and feet

It is important to note that some symptoms of anemia may be similar to symptoms of other medical problems or other blood disorders.... For this reason, for a more accurate diagnosis, you should visit a pediatric hematologist or contact a pediatric hematologist through the possibility of online consultation.

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Complications of anemia in children and infants

Symptoms of anemia depend on its cause. Some types of anemia are treated quickly and have few complications, but a group of them may lead to frequent and serious complications, including:

• Growth delay
• Pain and swelling of joints
• Bone marrow failure

The cause of anemia in children and infants

The cause of anemia largely depends on its type.. but in general, the factors that cause anemia in children are:

• Loss of red blood cells
• Inability of the body to make red blood cells
• destruction of red blood cells

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A decrease in the number of red blood cells or a decrease in the level of hemoglobin may occur for the following reasons:

• Inherited defect of red blood cells
• infection
• They suffer from some diseases
• Using certain drugs
• Deficiency of some vitamins or minerals in the diet (such as iron, folate and vitamin B12)

Read more: Is sickle cell anemia dangerous?

Anemia risk factors

The following factors increase the risk of anemia in infants and children:

• Premature weight or low weight
• Living in poverty
• Excessive consumption of milk (cow's milk does not have enough iron. Also, its excessive consumption prevents the absorption of iron in the body.)
• Surgery or blood loss due to accident or other incidents
• You suffer from chronic and long-term illnesses (such as infection, kidney disease or liver disease)
• Family history of an inherited type of anemia (such as sickle cell anemia)

Ways to diagnose anemia in babies and children

In children and infants, most anemias are diagnosed with blood tests... These tests include:

• Hemoglobin and hematocrit: It measures the amount of hemoglobin and red blood cells.

• Complete blood count (CBC): checks the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, blood clotting cells (platelets), and sometimes young red blood cells (reticulocytes).. This test includes hemoglobin and hematocrit and provides a lot of detail about red blood cells.
• Iron and ferritin: measures the amount of iron and ferritin (a protein that helps store iron in the body).
• Peripheral blood smear: A small sample of blood is examined under a microscope to determine whether the blood cells appear normal.

Depending on the blood test results, your doctor may recommend other diagnostic tests, such as a bone marrow aspiration, a biopsy (taking a sample), or both.

Learn more: What is anemia?

Read more: What is aplastic anemia?

Treatment of anemia in children and infants

Actually, Treatment of anemia in infants and children depends on its cause, type and severity... Treatment may include one or some of the following:

• Using supplements containing vitamins and minerals
• Dietary change
• Drug therapy to prevent the destruction of red blood cells or help the bone marrow to make red blood cells
• Discontinuing the use of drugs that cause anemia
• Treatment of underlying disorders
• Surgery to remove the spleen (in case of hemolytic anemia)
• If necessary, blood transfusion (to replace lost blood)
• Using antibiotics (if infection is the cause of anemia)
• Stem cell transplant (to treat bone marrow failure, such as aplastic anemia)

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Ways to prevent anemia in children and babies

Some types of anemia are hereditary and cannot be prevented... But the possibility of iron deficiency anemia in children (a common form of anemia) can be reduced by modifying the diet.... To prevent iron deficiency in babies and children, do the following:

• If possible, feed the baby with your own milk. Babies can get enough iron from breast milk.
• Use powdered milk enriched with iron... If your baby uses formula, choose fortified formula.
• Consult your doctor about taking iron supplements. Most children should receive supplements starting at 6 months of age, but the starting age may vary depending on the child's condition.
• Give the child iron-rich foods. When starting complementary feeding, according to the child's age, go for iron-rich foods such as: red meat, chicken, fish and legumes.
• Use foods rich in vitamin C to feed your child.... Fruits, strawberries, bell peppers, tomatoes and dark green vegetables help absorb iron in the intestines.
• Don't drink too much milk... Between the ages of one and five, don't let your child drink more than 710 ml of milk during the day.

Read more: Blood diseases: white and red blood cells, platelets and plasma

Learn more: Symptoms of anemia in teenagers

Frequently Asked Questions

Concluding remarks about anemia in children and infants

There are different types of anemia, each with its own cause... Anemia in babies and children can be temporary or long-term and can range from mild to severe. Infants If you have any questions, you can consult a pediatrician through the site GCORP LLC.. It should be noted that you can easily communicate with an online pediatrician by using the online consultation option

Sources: rush, childrenshospital, mayoclini