Iron Deficiency in Children
Information for patients
NHS Lanarkshire Neonatal Department
PIL.IRNDEF.16_07658.L
Why is iron important?
Iron is needed to produce healthy red blood cells. If not enough iron is not included in the diet it can lead to iron deficiency anaemia.
If there is not enough iron in the diet it can lead to iron deficiency anaemia.
Symptoms of iron deficiency
- Delayed development
- Tiredness/lack of energy
- Pale skin
- Increased risk of infection
- Irritability
- Poor appetite
- Poor growth
What causes iron deficiency?
Iron is found in many foods. Good sources are red meat, fish and leafy green vegetables. If there is not enough of these foods in the diet then deficiency can result. Sometimes you can eat enough Iron but it is not absorbed properly. For example, drinking lots of milk can prevent iron from being absorbed in the body. Heavy periods and other medical conditions can cause Iron to be lost from the body which can also cause deficiency.
How do we increase iron in the diet?
Aim for a healthy, balanced diet which includes a variety of foods containing iron. The table below shows sources of iron:
| Food group | Good sources of iron |
| Meat, fish and alternatives | All meats e.g. beef, mince, lamb, pork, sausage, chicken, duck. Oily fish e.g. salmon, mackerel, tuna. Egg yolk. Baked beans. Lentils /dhal, kidney beans, chick peas. |
| Protein alternatives |
Baked Beans, Lentils/dhal, kidney beans and chickpeas in their own box. Food group title: Protein alternatives |
| Fruit and vegetables |
Dried fruits e.g. raisins, currants, sultanas, apricots and prunes. Green leafy vegetables – broccoli, cabbage, spinach, kale. Peas |
| Bread, cereals and potatoes |
Fortified breakfast cereal, e.g. weetabix, cornflakes. Wholemeal bread, wholemeal flour, oatmeal. |
| Fatty/sugary foods | Nuts and nut butters*, seeds. |
*nuts may be given as butters or ground in cooking from 6months. Due to the risk of choking, whole nuts should not be given to children under 5 years.
Chocolate and liquorice are also noted as good sources of iron but should not be given regularly. They should only be given as part of a well balanced diet.
Pub. date: November 2022
Review date: November 2024
Issue No: 05
Reference: PIL.IRNDEF.16_07658.L
22_22850
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