Worldwide and in our country, the most common nutritional problem of childhood is iron deficiency. It progresses insidiously: even before overt anemia develops, it can adversely affect brain development and learning. That is why screening and prevention are critical.

Who Is at Risk?

  • Premature and low-birth-weight babies
  • Those fed an iron-poor diet after the 6th month (late/incorrect introduction of complementary foods)
  • Children over 1 year old who drink more than 500 ml of cow's milk per day (milk suppresses iron!)
  • Rapidly growing adolescents and menstruating girls

Symptoms

Paleness (best seen inside the eyelid and on the palms) • tiring quickly, fatigue • loss of appetite • restlessness, difficulty concentrating • frequent infections • pica (a craving to eat soil, paper, ice) • spoon-shaped nails

Diagnosis

It is established with a simple complete blood count (CBC) + iron panel (ferritin). Ferritin is the best indicator of the body's iron stores.

Treatment and Prevention

  • Preventive: Iron drops for all babies between the 4th and 12th month (a routine practice in our country)
  • Treatment: If a deficiency is detected, 3-4 months of iron therapy at a dose calculated by weight + follow-up test
  • Nutrition: Red meat, eggs, dried legumes, grape molasses, dark leafy greens; vitamin C alongside increases absorption. Tea and milk with meals block iron absorption.

⚠️ Iron medications carry a risk of poisoning for children — keep them in a locked place.