What Causes Anemia in Babies, How Does It Go?

Anemia sounds scary, right? But in fact, it is a disease that is very easy to prevent and treat. For this reason, you need to know how to prevent anemia in babies and what you should pay attention to.

Let’s see what you don’t know about the problem of anemia in babies!

First, let’s explain what anemia is!

Anemia, also known as anemia; It means that there is not enough hemoglobin in the red blood cells that carry oxygen to the organs and tissues in the body. This condition usually develops due to certain diseases and conditions. Over time, it begins to manifest itself with various symptoms.

What causes anemia in babies?

Iron deficiency is the most important and most common cause of anemia in infants. If young children do not get enough iron, they may have anemia problem in a short time. Because iron is the component required for the production of hemoglobin. In addition, vitamin deficiency anemia is among the causes of anemia in infants.

A baby;

• If he starts drinking cow’s milk before 1 year old,

• If the mother does not get enough benefit from breast milk,
• If he does not consume iron-containing foods with the start of supplementary food, he may experience iron deficiency and, accordingly, anemia.

Other causes of anemia include;

• celiac disease ,
• intense nosebleeds,
• Prolonged diarrhea
• Some drugs can cause anemia.

In addition, iron deficiency can be seen in the babies of women who did not get enough iron during pregnancy or who had an iron deficiency.

What are the symptoms of anemia in babies?

• pale skin; especially on the lips, eyelids and nails,
• Weakness,
• Don’t get tired quickly,
• Shortness of breath,
• Palpitation,
• Swelling in hands and feet
• anorexia ,
• They have symptoms such as crying, which can amount to joining. In other words, if you have a baby crying non-stop, and “Does anemia cause restlessness in babies?” If you are asking, our answer is yes!

In the meantime, let’s say this. Advanced anemia can also create some developmental problems in babies.

How is anemia diagnosed in infants?

Diagnosing anemia is easy. If you apply to your doctor with a few of the above symptoms, a blood test will easily reveal the problem.

How is anemia treated in infants?

There are many types of anemia. Such as thalassemia (Mediterranean anemia), sickle cell anemia. Therefore, the treatment to be applied is usually made according to the type of anemia. However, we will talk about the ways of treatment of iron deficiency anemia, which is the most common type of anemia in infants. But “My baby has anemia!” Don’t worry, anemia treatment is not as difficult as you think!

Medicines in the form of syrup or drops are usually prescribed for babies with anemia. In this treatment, which lasts for an average of 3 months, it is aimed to first correct the deficiency and then fill the iron stores.

Of course, nutrition is also of great importance in addition to medication.

• Veal and lamb liver,
• Red meat,
• red fruits,
• dried fruits,
• green leafy vegetables,
• Potatoes,
• cereals,
• Foods such as egg yolk play a major role in eliminating iron deficiency.

How to prevent anemia in babies?

• You should definitely not give your baby a dairy product along with iron-containing foods. Because milk prevents the absorption of iron.
• Vitamin C increases the rate of absorption of iron. Therefore, you can give your baby a glass of orange juice after iron pills and with meat meals.
• If your baby is under 1 year old, you should definitely not give cow’s milk.
• You should definitely add iron-rich foods to the complementary food process.
• If you do not have an iron deficiency problem and you are eating right, the baby will not have much trouble in terms of iron in the first 6 months of sucking.
• If your baby is formula-fed, you should consult your doctor and use an iron-fortified formula.