Deficiency of red blood cells and hemoglobin.BloodEncyclopedia Entry for Anemia :Anemia caused by low iron - children. Anemia caused by a low iron level is the most common form of anemia. The body gets iron through certain foods. It also reuses iron from old red blood cells. A diet that does not have enough iron is the most common cause of this type of anemia in children. When a child is growing rapidly, such as during puberty, even more iron is needed. Toddlers who drink too much cow's milk may also become anemic if they are not eating other healthy foods that have iron. Other causes may be: The body is not able to absorb iron well, even though the child is eating enough iron. Slow blood loss over a long period, often due to menstrual periods or bleeding in the digestive tract. Iron deficiency in children can also be related to lead poisoning.Mild anemia may have no symptoms. As the iron level and blood counts become lower, your child may: Act irritable Become short of breath Crave unusual foods (pica) Eat less food Feel tired or weak all the time Have a sore tongue Have headaches or dizziness With more severe anemia, your child may have: Blue-tinged or very pale whites of eyes Brittle nails Pale skin.The health care provider will perform a physical exam. Blood tests that may be abnormal with low iron stores include: Hematocrit Serum ferritin Serum iron Total iron binding capacity (TIBC) A measurement called iron saturation (serum iron level divided by the TIBC value) can help diagnose iron deficiency. A value of less than 15% supports the diagnosis.Since children only absorb a small amount of the iron they eat, most children need to have 3 mg to 6 mg of iron per day. Eating healthy foods is the most important way to prevent and treat iron deficiency. Good sources of iron include: Apricots Chicken, turkey, fish, and other meats Dried beans, lentils, and soybeans Eggs Liver Molasses Oatmeal Peanut butter Prune juice Raisins and prunes Spinach, kale and other green leafy vegetables If a healthy diet does not prevent or treat your child's low iron level and anemia, your provider will likely recommend iron supplements for your child. These are taken by mouth. DO NOT give your child iron supplements or vitamins with iron without checking with your child's provider. The provider will prescribe the right kind of supplement for your child. Too much iron in children can be toxic.With treatment, the outcome is likely to be good. In most cases, the blood counts will return to normal in 2 to 3 months. It is important that the provider finds the cause of your child's iron deficiency.Anemia caused by a low iron level can affect a child's ability to learn in school. A low iron level can cause decreased attention span, reduced alertness, and learning problems in children. A low iron level can cause the body to absorb too much lead.Eating a variety of healthy foods is the most important way to prevent and treat iron deficiency.Anemia - iron deficiency - children.Hypochromia Hypochromia Formed elements of blood Formed elements of blood Hemoglobin Hemoglobin.Fleming MD. Disorders of iron and copper metabolism, the sideroblastic anemias, and lead toxicity.Encyclopedia Entry for Anemia :Anemia caused by low iron - infants and toddlers. Anemia caused by a low iron level is the most common form of anemia. The body gets iron through certain foods. It also reuses iron from old red blood cells. A diet that does not have enough iron is the most common cause. During periods of rapid growth, even more iron is needed. Babies are born with iron stored in their bodies. Because they grow rapidly, infants and toddlers need to absorb a lot of iron each day. Iron deficiency anemia most commonly affects babies 9 through 24 months old. Breastfed babies need less iron because iron is absorbed better when it is in breast milk. Formula with iron added (iron fortified) also provides enough iron. Infants younger than 12 months who drink cow's milk rather than breast milk or iron-fortified formula are more likely to have anemia. Cow's milk leads to anemia because it: Has less iron Causes small amounts of blood loss from the intestines Makes it harder for the body to absorb iron Children older than 12 months who drink too much cow's milk may also have anemia if they do not eat enough other healthy foods that have iron.Mild anemia may have no symptoms. As the iron level and blood counts become lower, your infant or toddler may: Act irritable Become short of breath Crave unusual foods (called pica) Eat less food Feel tired or weak all the time Have a sore tongue Have headaches or dizziness With more severe anemia, your child may have: Blue-tinged or pale whites of eyes Brittle nails Pale skin color.The health care provider will perform a physical exam. All babies should have a blood test to check for anemia. Blood tests that measure iron level in the body include: Hematocrit Serum ferritin Serum iron Total iron binding capacity (TIBC) A measurement called iron saturation (serum iron/TIBC) often can show whether the child has enough iron in the body.Since children only absorb a small amount of the iron they eat, most children need to have 8 to 10 mg of iron per day. DIET AND IRON During the first year of life: Do not give your baby cow's milk until age 1 year. Babies under age 1 year have a difficult time digesting cow's milk. Use either breast milk or formula fortified with iron. After 6 months, your baby will start to need more iron in their diet. Start solid foods with iron-fortified baby cereal mixed with breast milk or formula. Iron-rich pureed meats, fruits, and vegetables can also be started. After age 1 year, you may give your baby whole milk in place of breast milk or formula. Eating healthy foods is the most important way to prevent and treat iron deficiency. Good sources of iron include: Apricots Chicken, turkey, fish, and other meats Dried beans, lentils, and soybeans Eggs Liver Molasses Oatmeal Peanut butter Prune juice Raisins and prunes Spinach, kale and other greens IRON SUPPLEMENTS If a healthy diet does not prevent or treat your child's low iron level and anemia, the provider will likely recommend iron supplements for your child. These are taken by mouth. Do not give your child iron supplements or vitamins with iron without checking with your child's provider. The provider will prescribe the right kind of supplement for your child. If your child takes too much iron, it can cause poisoning.With treatment, the outcome is likely to be good. In most cases, the blood counts will return to normal in 2 months. It is important that the provider find the cause of your child's iron deficiency.A low iron level can cause decreased attention span, reduced alertness and learning problems in children. A low iron level can cause the body to absorb too much lead.Eating healthy foods is the most important way to prevent and treat iron deficiency.Anemia - iron deficiency - infants and toddlers.Baker RD, Baker SS. Infant and toddler nutrition.Encyclopedia Entry for Anemia :Anemia of chronic disease. Anemia is a lower-than-normal number of red blood cells in the blood. ACD is a common cause of anemia. Some conditions that can lead to ACD include: Autoimmune disorders , such as Crohn disease , systemic lupus erythematosus , rheumatoid arthritis , and ulcerative colitis Cancer , including lymphoma and Hodgkin disease Long-term infections, such as bacterial endocarditis, osteomyelitis (bone infection), HIV/AIDS , lung abscess, hepatitis B or hepatitis C.Anemia of chronic disease is often mild. You may not notice any symptoms. When symptoms occur, they may include: Feeling weak or tired Headache Paleness Shortness of breath.The health care provider will perform a physical exam. Anemia may be the first symptom of a serious illness, so finding its cause is very important. Tests that may be done to diagnose anemia or rule out other causes include: Complete blood count Reticulocyte count Serum ferritin level Serum iron level Bone marrow examination (in rare cases to rule out cancer).Anemia is often mild enough that it does not need treatment. It may get better when the disease that is causing it is treated. More severe anemia, such as that caused by chronic kidney disease, cancer, or HIV/AIDS may require: Blood transfusion Iron given through a vein Erythropoietin, a hormone produced by the kidneys, given as a shot.The anemia will improve when the disease that is causing it is treated.Discomfort from symptoms is the main complication in most cases. Anemia may lead to a higher risk for death in people with heart failure.Call your provider if you have a long-term (chronic) disorder and you develop symptoms of anemia.Anemia of inflammation; Inflammatory anemia; AOCD; ACD.Blood cells Blood cells.Bunn HF. Approach to the anemias.Encyclopedia Entry for Anemia :Anemia. Although many parts of the body help make red blood cells, most of the work is done in the bone marrow. Bone marrow is the soft tissue in the center of bones that helps form all blood cells. Healthy red blood cells last between 90 and 120 days. Parts of your body then remove old blood cells. A hormone called erythropoietin (epo) made in your kidneys signals your bone marrow to make more red blood cells. Hemoglobin is the oxygen-carrying protein inside red blood cells. It gives red blood cells their color. People with anemia do not have enough hemoglobin. Hemoglobin The body needs certain vitamins, minerals, and nutrients to make enough red blood cells. Iron, vitamin B12, and folic acid are three of the most important ones. The body may not have enough of these nutrients due to: Changes in the lining of the stomach or intestines affect how well nutrients are absorbed (for example, celiac disease ) Poor diet Surgery that removes part of the stomach or intestines Possible causes of anemia include: Iron deficiency Vitamin B12 deficiency Folate deficiency Certain medicines Destruction of red blood cells earlier than normal (which may be caused by immune system problems) Long-term (chronic) diseases such as chronic kidney disease, cancer, ulcerative colitis, or rheumatoid arthritis Some forms of anemia, such as thalassemia or sickle cell anemia, which can be inherited Pregnancy Problems with bone marrow such as lymphoma, leukemia, myelodysplasia, multiple myeloma, or aplastic anemia Slow blood loss (for example, from heavy menstrual periods or stomach ulcers ) Sudden heavy blood loss.You may have no symptoms if the anemia is mild or if the problem develops slowly. Symptoms that may occur first include: Feeling weak or tired more often than usual, or with exercise Headaches Problems concentrating or thinking Irritability Loss of appetite Numbness and tingling of hands and feet If the anemia gets worse, symptoms may include: Blue color to the whites of the eyes Brittle nails Desire to eat ice or other non-food things ( pica syndrome) Lightheadedness when you stand up Pale skin color Shortness of breath with mild activity or even at rest Sore or inflamed tongue Mouth ulcers Abnormal or increased menstrual bleeding in females Loss of sexual desire in men.The provider will perform a physical examination, and may find: A heart murmur Low blood pressure, especially when you stand up Slight fever Pale skin Rapid heart rate Some types of anemia may cause other findings on a physical exam. Blood tests used to diagnose some common types of anemia may include: Blood levels of iron, vitamin B12, folic acid, and other vitamins and minerals Complete blood count Reticulocyte count Other tests may be done to find medical problems that can cause anemia.Treatment should be directed at the cause of the anemia, and may include: Blood transfusions Corticosteroids or other medicines that suppress the immune system Erythropoietin, a medicine that helps your bone marrow make more blood cells Supplements of iron, vitamin B12, folic acid, or other vitamins and minerals.Severe anemia can cause low oxygen levels in vital organs such as the heart, and can lead to heart failure.Call your provider if you have any symptoms of anemia or unusual bleeding.Red blood cells, elliptocytosis Red blood cells, elliptocytosis Red blood cells, spherocytosis Red blood cells, spherocytosis Red blood cells, multiple sickle cells Red blood cells, multiple sickle cells Ovalocytoses Ovalocytoses Red blood cells, sickle and pappenheimer Red blood cells, sickle and Pappenheimer Red blood cells, target cells Red blood cells, target cells Hemoglobin Hemoglobin.Bunn HF. Approach to the anemias.Encyclopedia Entry for Anemia :Anemia Aplastic. Damages bone marrow and blood stem cells.It can be caused by Hepatitis B and C, Dengue, Parvovirus B19, Epstein-Barr virus, Cytomegalovirus and HIV.Information from Marcello Allegretti.Encyclopedia Entry for Anemia :Anemia Iron-Deficiency. Decreased red blood cells and hemoglobin due to insufficient iron. It can be caused by Helicobacter Pylori.Information from Marcello Allegretti.