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The lack of essential nutrients in the child’s body is called childhood anemia. The hemoglobin levels in the blood end up being below normal and through tests it is found the lack of vitamins such as zinc, vitamin B12 , proteins and especially iron. The most common childhood anemia is iron deficiency , also known as iron deficiency anemia. Iron is one of the main nutrients for maintaining good health and is responsible for making red blood cells and transporting oxygen throughout the body.
There are groups most affected by anemia, which is the case of children, pregnant women, breastfeeding women and adolescent girls when they have menarche . Being developed by poor diet or the intake of iron-rich foods, in the case of teenage girls the loss of blood in the case of very intense flows, can cause the disease as well.
Symptoms of Anemia
It is not always possible to visualize the symptoms of a child suffering from childhood anemia, it is almost always necessary to make a diagnosis through laboratory tests , that is, blood tests. But there are symptoms that can be observed such as:
- Lack of appetite
- Intense fatigue
- Yellowish skin and mucous membranes (eyes and gums)
- Difficulty concentrating
Children with anemia are usually dejected, unwilling to play and very discouraged. Other symptoms that may appear are the identification of weaker and brittle nails, dry skin and hair that tend to fall out. Children suffering from childhood anemia may have more learning difficulties, with delays in physical and mental development. Because of their low immunity, they are prone to contracting more infections.
How to Avoid and Treat Childhood Anemia
From the first consultation with a pediatrician, the use of iron supplements is prescribed in order to prevent the development of childhood anemia. For babies who breastfeed exclusive breastmilk, a good mother’s diet is essential to control the child’s iron levels. For the little ones that eat food, it is recommended to include more iron-rich foods through healthy foods that, in addition to keeping them away from childhood anemia, will maintain good health.
We find iron in a very wide variety of foods that can be found very easily, including being part of the daily menu of human beings. We find iron nutrients in the following foods:
- Egg yolk
- Red meat
- Grains like beans, chickpeas, lentils, green beans.
- Dark leafy vegetables like spinach and arugula
- Broccoli, cauliflower, beets and peas.
- Liver Steak
- Shellfish such as mussels and oysters
We can combat childhood anemia also through fruits and their juices, especially those rich in vitamin C that increase the absorption of iron by the body such as mango, grape, pineapple, orange, lemon, strawberry and acerola. In addition to good nutrition and the intake of iron-rich foods that will guarantee the necessary amount of the nutrient and the amount of hemoglobin at its indicated levels, there are homemade recipes that can help when the lack of vitamin in the blood is pointed out.
Homemade Tip to Combat Child Anemia
Even with all modernity and medical evolution and its medications, juices and specific foods used since ancient times, as a good liver steak they are still used today and have great results. Below is a homemade recipe that can be consumed daily, in addition to a pleasant taste will help prevent and combat childhood anemia.
Ingredients:
- 3 pieces of pineapple
- 1 glass of cold water
- 3 talos of sauce
- 1 spoon of sugar (can be brown in the case of children)
Preparation method:
Put all the ingredients in a blender and beat until all the fruit is diluted. Pass through a sieve and consume in sequence. The pineapple can be substituted by other fruits rich in vitamin C, such as strawberry, orange, acerola or of your choice.
See also: Anemia in Pregnancy – Things Every Pregnant Woman Should Know
My name is Dr. Alexis Hart I am 38 years old, I am the mother of 3 beautiful children! Different ages, different phases 16 years, 12 years and 7 years. In love with motherhood since always, I found it difficult to make my dreams come true, and also some more after I was already a mother.
Since I imagined myself as a mother, in my thoughts everything seemed to be much easier and simpler than it really was, I expected to get pregnant as soon as I wished, but it wasn’t that simple. The first pregnancy was smooth, but my daughter’s birth was very troubled. Joana was born in 2002 with a weight of 2930kg and 45cm, from a very peaceful cesarean delivery but she had already been born with congenital pneumonia due to a broken bag not treated with antibiotics even before delivery.