In the United States, seven percent of all children, between the ages of one and two, suffer from pediatric anemia, with females suffering more than males. Often drawing the weakness and delay in the development of the child, understanding what anemia in children, anemic symptoms, the process of diagnosis and treatment options, will help the parent in seeking appropriate medical attention.
Anemia in children can be caused by a variety of genetic factors, including vitamin deficiency and iron deficiency. The most common factor is iron deficiency with three percent of men suffering compared to 20 percent of women. Genetic anemia can be attributed to the painful and often fatal, sickle cell anemia, which is commonly seen among those born to Arabs. and African descent. To understand the effects of anemia, let’s first look at how the body processes oxygen.
In the body, hemoglobin found in red-celle, provide the body with oxygen. For this the body is rich in iron, as it is in the marrow inside, where iron helps. production of red blood cells. When in an anemic state, laboratory blood redtests will reveal that the body contains fewer red blood cells or that the body destroys more cells than it produces . The cause and origin of the anemia condition must then be addressed in order to determine the appropriate treatment options.
Symptoms of anemia are varied and can include weakness, pale skin, frequent headaches, dizziness, body weight and low chest pain . In some cases, cognitive deficits or retardation may be present. Unfortunately, in small-children, these anemic symptoms can be difficult to describe from a child especially in those who have not started. explanation of speech
To diagnose pediatric anemia, your pediatrician may perform several laboratory tests. However, it is important to note that if your child has been ill within two weeks of the test period, the laboratory results may be inaccurate. The two tests of composition that are most commonly seen are hemoglobin and hematocrit levels. Blood can be taken by venipuncture (through the arm) or by capillary puncture (through healing).
Once diagnosed with pediatric anemia, the pediatrician may recommend various treatment options. The first line of defense is increased purity of food nutritional value by limiting the addition of cow’s milk, supplementing breast feeding with an iron-based formula. starting ferrous sulfate drops, avoiding drawn juice and increasing the intake of iron fortified cereal. All of these are affordable options with life impacting significance.
Without treatment, an anemic child will show signs of delayed development. Studies have shown that young children experience lower intelligence, suffer from fear, anxiety, and fatigue, and tend to exhibit symptoms. Separation anxiety is more common than children who do not suffer from anemia. A child exhibiting these anemic symptoms may not be anemic. However, if the symptoms persist beyond the age of three, a battery of tests should be carried out, including an intelligence test, so that progress is not delayed and, if delayed, not attributed to an anemic disorder.
A parent’s first concern is the health of our children. Maintaining an awareness of your child’s health, both physically and mentally, will produce great results in growth and development. Faced with a child who is suffering from symptoms of fatigue, chest pain, headache, mental retardation and/or pale skin color, consult your pediatrician for information, testing and treatment on anemic disorder.
