WHO recommendation: Iron supplementation for children aged 5-12 years

Iron is a very important nutrient, especially for children who are in a period of rapid growth. Daily iron needs vary with age, for example, iron supplementation for 8-year-olds is about 10 milligrams/day.

The body needs iron to make hemoglobin - an essential protein in red blood cells (RBCs). Hemoglobin helps the blood carry oxygen and transport it to all other cells of the body. Without hemoglobin, the body stops producing healthy red blood cells. Therefore, not having enough iron will cause the muscles, tissues and cells of the child to lack the necessary amount of oxygen.
Breastfed babies have their own “storehouse” of iron from breast milk for the first 6 months, while bottle-fed babies also get a certain amount of iron through formula. Therefore, it is not necessary to add iron to children during this period. But as babies get older and transition to eating more solid foods, they may not be eating enough iron-rich foods. This puts the baby at risk of iron-deficiency anemia.
According to statistics of the World Health Organization (WHO), there are about 300 million children around the world with anemia in 2011. Children aged 5 - 12 years are in an important stage of intellectual development. Importantly, optimizing children's cognitive performance at this time can have lifelong benefits. There is evidence that daily iron supplementation for children 12 years of age and younger can help reduce the risk of iron deficiency and anemia.
WHO recommends that public health organizations support iron supplementation for school-age children (5 years and older), especially those who live in areas with high rates of infant anemia. 40% more births and young children, to prevent iron deficiency and anemia.

The most common cause of anemia is thought to be a lack of iron - an essential nutrient for the development and cell growth of the immune and nervous systems. Iron also helps regulate energy metabolism during physical activities. Iron deficiency can be caused by:
Not eating enough nutrients; Poor absorption of iron in the diet; Increased need for iron supplements during growth spurts; Helminth infections; Menstrual blood loss in adolescent girls. Some children are at higher risk of iron deficiency and may need to take supplements usually:

Picky eaters, no balanced nutrition; Children are often vegetarian or vegan; Have diseases that interfere with the absorption of nutrients, such as intestinal diseases and chronic infections; Low birth weight and premature babies ; Babies whose mothers have iron deficiency; Drinking too much cow's milk; Frequent exposure to lead; Children regularly practice sports and are trained like professional athletes; Older children and adolescents in puberty; Adolescent girls experience blood loss during menstruation.

Iron-deficiency anemia in children is associated with an increased risk of disease and impaired cognitive development and school performance. Specifically, iron deficiency can interfere with a baby's normal growth and cause:
Learning and behavioral problems; Timid personality, aloof from society; Delayed motor skills; Muscle weakness. Iron is also important for the immune system, not getting enough iron will make your baby more susceptible to infections, colds and more flu attacks. However, do not arbitrarily give iron supplements to children without consulting a doctor first. Children need to be seen by a doctor to diagnose anemia, as well as have a physical exam and look for signs of iron deficiency, including:

Behavioral problems; Loss of appetite; Weak; Increased sweating; Pica, eg eating dirty food, rocks, dirt, toothpaste, hair or paper; Not growing at the expected rate. The doctor may also take a small blood sample to check your baby's red blood cells. If your baby is diagnosed with iron deficiency, the doctor will prescribe some iron supplements for the 10-year-old.

Children should get iron as well as other vitamins from a healthy, balanced diet. If they eat enough iron-rich foods, they hardly need to take additional supplements. Iron is found in the following foods:
Red meat: Beef and animal organs (such as liver); Turkey, pork and chicken; Fish; Nutritional cereals, such as oatmeal; Dark green leafy vegetables: Kale, broccoli and spinach; Kinds of bean; Prunes (prunes).

When giving your child iron supplements, parents need to follow the following precautions to ensure their baby's safety:
Follow all instructions and call your pediatrician right away if you have any questions or concerns. which subject; Place all supplements on the highest shelf and out of reach of children, preferably in a locked cabinet; Containers of supplements must be fully labeled; Avoid giving iron to children with milk or caffeinated beverages; Give your child extra vitamin C, like drinking orange or strawberry juice with iron; Give your child other supplements as advised by the doctor. From the time iron supplements are started, it can take more than 6 months for a child's iron levels to return to normal.

It should be noted that an overdose of iron can cause stomach upset, causing children to have colic, constipation and fatigue, even poisoning. Therefore, parents should only supplement iron for children 5 - 12 years old with foods rich in natural iron, such as fortified breakfast cereals, lean meat, and lots of fruits and vegetables. In addition, there are also many types of complementary medicines available for children that parents can use as prescribed by a doctor.
Reference source: healthline.com; who.int

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Instructions to supplement iron for infants through breast milk Iron supplementation with drugs can be a double-edged sword To prevent anemia due to iron deficiency