Our blood consists of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Red blood cells are responsible for transporting oxygen to various parts of the body. In children, anemia is often directly related to a significant decrease in the number of red blood cells. If children suffer from chronic anemia, it can affect brain development, cause attention deficit, poor academic performance, low intelligence, lack of energy, stunted growth, smaller size compared to peers, and inability to enter adolescence normally.
How to recognize if your child has anemia
Anemia can be observed by pale skin, yellowish skin, and lack of the usual rosy complexion seen in children. In severe anemia cases, children will have very pale skin, fatigue, reduced appetite, easy tiredness, lack of cheerfulness, and decreased ability to perform daily activities. Children with anemia caused by thalassemia may have an enlarged abdomen, enlarged liver and spleen, facial changes, and yellowish skin. If these symptoms are observed, it is important to take the child for a proper diagnosis and treatment.
Various methods to diagnose anemia in children
In the first year, breastfed infants usually receive complete nutrition but may have relatively low iron intake, leading to iron deficiency anemia. If suspected, doctors will check the completeness of blood cells and look for iron deficiency in the child’s body. In some children with anemia, doctors will further diagnose the type of anemia, such as chronic anemia or acute anemia, using different tests depending on the disease. Chronic anemia includes conditions like thalassemia, while acute anemia includes conditions like G6PD enzyme deficiency, where children may present with fever, sudden pale skin, and dark urine.
Anemia in children… can be treated
In young children with anemia caused by iron deficiency, doctors treat by prescribing iron supplements. After taking iron for 1-2 days, children usually become more lively and their appetite begins to return to normal. Continued iron intake improves blood concentration within one month, but iron supplements may need to be taken for another 2-3 months to ensure sufficient iron levels in the body. Doctors will schedule follow-up appointments depending on the severity of each child’s anemia.
How to prevent anemia in children
- For premature babies, doctors recommend iron supplementation.
- For full-term babies who are breastfed, when they start eating solid foods at 6 months, age-appropriate foods containing iron should be provided, such as green leafy vegetables, organ meats, egg yolks, and red meat, 1-2 meals per day to ensure adequate iron intake.
- Bring children for anemia screening to check iron levels in the body and assess whether the child’s diet contains sufficient iron. It is recommended to screen children at 9 months to 1 year of age.
Dr. Sisima Suwanwijit
Specialist in Pediatric Neurology
Child and Adolescent Health Center, Phyathai 2 Hospital
