

Introduction to iron deficiency:


What is iron deficiency?


Who gets iron deficiency?


Drinking too much milk can lead to iron deficiency. It irritates the intestines, and leads to iron loss. It can also make it more difficult for the body to use iron.


Food allergies can also lead to iron deficiency through iron loss in the stool.

Children with iron deficiency are more likely to have lead toxicity than their peers.

What are the symptoms of iron deficiency?

In most children, the anemia never gets severe enough to cause noticeable symptoms, but it can still slow cognitive development. Iron deficiency (even mild enough not to cause anemia) is associated with a decrease in attention span, alertness, and learning ability. Iron-deficient children are also more likely to eat dirt, paint chips, ice, and other mineral-containing items.



Is iron deficiency contagious?


How long does iron deficiency last?

Iron deficiency lasts until the body’s iron stores are replenished from the new iron taken in. With proper treatment, this usually takes one to three months.

Sometimes ongoing iron losses (as from too much milk) need to be corrected to solve the iron deficiency.

How is iron deficiency diagnosed?


Anemia on the screening blood test is not necessarily caused by iron deficiency, but mild anemia in an otherwise well child is most likely caused by iron deficiency.

If the anemia does not respond as expected to treatment, other tests should be done to confirm that the problem is iron deficiency. Lead poisoning and thalassemia, for instance, can also produce anemia with small red blood cells.

How is iron deficiency treated?

The dietary changes listed below (under prevention) are the foundation of treating iron deficiency. If there is significant anemia, or if the diet isn’t working, iron drops may be necessary to replenish your child’s iron stores.

When these drops are given with juice, they are often better tolerated and better absorbed. If they are given straight, they may darken the teeth. Iron drops can turn the stools dark and cause constipation, no matter how they are given.


How can iron deficiency be prevented?


  • BestBreast milk (the iron is very easily used by the child), formula with iron, infant cereals, other iron-fortified cereals, liver, prune juice


Cooking in iron pans can help by adding iron to the food. Taking an over-the-counter multi-vitaminwith iron can help provide a safety net for picky eaters.

Drinking too much cow’s milk makes anemia worse. Most toddlers get sufficient calories and calcium from 16-24 ounces of milk daily. No child needs more than 32 ounces of cow’s milk a day.

Related A-to-Z Information:

Anemia (Low hemoglobin), Breath Holding, Food Allergies, Lead Poisoning, Sickle Cell Anemia

Dr. Alan Greene
