The importance of iron for children
Iron is an essential micronutrient, involved in hemoglobin and DNA synthesis and energy metabolism and other important physiological processes, iron is an important nutrient in immune and nervous system development, cell growth, energy metabolism and motor regulation, has a direct impact on infant brain maturity, iron deficiency anemia and children's poor intellectual and motor development is related. A large number of studies have shown that iron deficiency anemia caused by severe iron deficiency is an important cause of preterm birth and neonatal death, and even a slight iron deficiency without anemia has caused irreversible damage to children's cognition, learning ability and behavioral development.
Risk factors for iron deficiency in children
· Congenital insufficiency: Causes such as premature birth, twin or multiple births, fetal blood loss and severe iron deficiency by the mother during pregnancy can reduce fetal iron storage, resulting in insufficient iron reserves before birth.
· Inadequate iron intake: This is the main cause of iron deficiency anemia. Breast milk, dairy products, cereals iron content are relatively low, if not timely addition of more iron-containing complementary food, the baby is prone to iron deficiency anemia.
· Faster growth and development: In infancy, the baby grows and develops faster, and it is necessary to add iron-rich and easily absorbed foods in time, otherwise it is also prone to iron deficiency.
If your baby has chronic diarrhea, not only will it cause malabsorption of iron, but also increased excretion of iron, resulting in iron deficiency.
Pharmacist recommendations for iron supplementation in children
1. Actively prevent and correct iron deficiency anemia in pregnant mothers, and iron supplementation for non-anemic nursing mothers is not recommended.
2. For preterm infants and low birth weight infants, it is recommended to supplement with iron, with elemental iron of 1 to 2 mg/kg.d until the age of 1 year.
3. Term healthy infants, regardless of feeding situation, do not need iron supplementation before 4 to 6 months.
4. Promote breastfeeding, infants who cannot breastfeed should use iron-fortified formula.
5. After the infant is 4 to 6 months old, supplementary food should be added in time. Supplementary foods for infants are recommended to prefer iron-fortified infant foods or animal foods rich in heme iron, such as meat and liver. The widespread use of iron-fortified infant formula and infant rice flour in developed countries has led to a significant reduction in infant iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia. There is no difference in iron supplementation with iron titers and iron drops.
6. In areas where the anemia rate of infants and young children ≥ 40%, it is recommended that infants and young children aged 6 to 23 months, children aged 24 to 59 months and children of school age over 5 years old supplement iron supplement daily for 3 consecutive months. In areas where anaemia rates in preschoolers and school-age children ≥ 20%, intermittent iron supplementation is recommended.
7. High-speed rail intake may adversely affect infants with iron plentifulness. Iron in the body will not be excreted, blindly excessive iron supplementation will cause excessive iron content in the body, resulting in iron, zinc, copper and other trace elements metabolism in the body imbalance, thereby reducing the body's immunity, and may bring the risk of myocardial damage to the child.
8. For high-risk groups with iron deficiency, such as infants and adolescents, iron deficiency should be screened regularly to prevent iron deficiency.
9. It is recommended to supplement iron mainly with dietary supplements, such as the use of iron enhancers, increase the intake of foods containing heme iron, vitamin C, and improve the intake and bioavailability of dietary iron. Actively identify risk factors and underlying diseases leading to iron deficiency and take effective interventions.
10. Iron-rich foods include: liver, animal blood, beef, lean meat, fish, eggs, fresh green vegetables, foods fortified with iron, etc. One study showed that meat absorbs several times more iron than grains.
Source: Jinchang Maternal and Child Health Family Planning Service Center
【Source: Yongchang County Health Bureau】