Nutrition for children with anemia

The article was professionally consulted with Master, Doctor Vu Quoc Anh - Pediatrician - Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Danang International General Hospital.

Anemia in children causes many troubles, making it difficult for children to develop comprehensively. One of the effective ways to treat this disease is to provide adequate nutrients in children through daily nutrition.

Anemia is a decrease in hemoglobin (Hb) per unit volume of blood. Hb is an iron-containing protein located in red blood cells. The main function of Hb is to carry oxygen to tissues for growth. If there is not enough iron for Hb to transport, it will lead to anemia in the body, affecting the function of organs. The degree of impact of anemia can be from small to large or life-threatening to the child.
Children are considered anemic when Hb is less than 100g/l in children 6 months to 6 years old and Hb is less than 120g/l in children 7-14 years old. Anemia in children has many causes, one of the main causes is due to:
Children with anemia due to low birth weight: Due to a lack of hematopoietic factors such as iron deficiency, folic acid deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency, protein deficiency and anemia. anemia due to hypoplasia and bone marrow failure. Pathological anemia caused by hemolysis such as hemoglobinopathy, erythrocyte membrane disease, autoimmune hemolysis. Children with anemia due to bleeding: Due to trauma, esophageal varices rupture, gastrointestinal bleeding or hookworm, peptic ulcer, hemorrhoids, rectal prolapse...

Clinical manifestations of anemia in young children are often silent, so it is difficult to recognize early. Some of the main manifestations of anemia in children are:
Pale skin, pale mucous membranes and less active children, inattentive learning, poor results, or drowsiness. With severe anemia, children have shortness of breath, tachycardia, shallow breathing, shortness of breath on exertion. Children often have respiratory infections and other infections. Children also often have anorexia, no weight gain or loss, dry lips, smooth tongue, loss of spines, flattened or spoon-shaped nails. Children with anemia may have dry hair, so it's easy to fall out, break easily... Children under 2 years old are often slow to sit, walk, slow growth in weight and height,... decreased and serum iron decreased.

Anemia in young children is not too dangerous if detected early, but causes many troubles. Making children's bodies tired, insomnia, lack of concentration... making it difficult for children to develop comprehensively. Therefore, when a child is diagnosed with anemia, it is very important to have a diet to rebalance the micronutrients and prevent anemia. So what do anemic children eat? Accordingly, some of the following foods should be eaten when children are anemic:
Enhance breastfeeding: Breast milk is the best and nutritious food for babies. In breast milk, there are enough micronutrients for the baby, so the mother should have a reasonable diet for the baby to absorb the micronutrients from breast milk. Red meat: Anemia is caused by iron deficiency, so red meats (beef, lamb, lean pork) often contain a lot of iron, which helps children prevent anemia. In addition, red meat is also effective in lowering cholesterol. Seafood: This is a nutritious food for babies with anemia. Seafood contains a lot of iron and vitamins that are good for health. Some types of seafood should be given to babies to prevent anemia such as: fish, clams, oysters, mussels, clams, shrimp, crabs... Pig liver: Pig liver contains a lot of vitamins A, B, D and other minerals to help the baby's body develop healthy, so it should be added in the daily menu for the baby. Vegetables, fruits: Green vegetables contain many nutrients. Mother should give her baby vegetables such as: kale, spinach, lettuce, pumpkin, broccoli, spinach, potatoes or beans... It will help children make up for the lack of iron. in the body. What kind of fruits do anemic children eat? Accordingly, anemic children should eat watermelon, grapes, strawberries, papaya, bananas, dates, plums... Some other types: Besides iron-rich fruits, mothers should supplement children with anemia. Anemia fruits contain a lot of vitamin C to help support the baby in absorbing iron.

Besides improving the child's food intake through daily nutrition, in order to prevent anemia for the child, mothers should note:
Mothers must eat well and adequately during pregnancy and lactation. Take iron tablets according to instructions: For children, young children under 2 years old, premature babies, iron supplements need to be prescribed and guided by a doctor. Pregnant mothers take iron supplements according to each pregnancy and postpartum period to prevent anemia in infants and young children. After birth, the baby should be breastfed early, fed enough and for a long time. This is the most effective measure to prevent deficiency in children. Prevention of helminths by regular environmental sanitation, personal and family hygiene; eat clean, drink clean and cook thoroughly before eating; Periodic deworming for children according to instructions. In addition to dietary supplements, parents can give their children support foods that contain iron and essential micro-minerals such as zinc, lysine, chromium, selenium, vitamin B... to help fully meet their needs. nutritional needs in children. At the same time, these essential vitamins also support digestion, enhance nutrient absorption, help improve anorexia, and help children eat well.
>> Parents can learn more: What disease can iron deficiency cause? The article was professionally consulted by Dr. Phan Dinh Thuy Tien - General Internal Medicine - Department of Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Nha Trang International General Hospital.
Please regularly visit Vinmec.com website and update useful information to take care of your baby and family.