How to increase hemoglobin level in child

Iron-Rich Foods for Toddlers: 10 to Try

Iron is an essential nutrient that the body uses to produce hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that helps your blood carry oxygen to all the other cells in the body.

Iron is essential for:

supplying the body with oxygen
muscle metabolism
maintaining connective tissue
physical growth
nerve development
cell functioning
producing some hormones

Breast-fed babies usually get enough iron from their mother’s milk, while infants fed with formula should receive iron-fortified formula.

Iron-deficiency anemia

When your toddler switches to eating regular foods, they might not get enough iron. Rest assured, this isn’t common in the United States; only 8 percent of toddlers have iron deficiency.

However, low iron levels can lead to anemia, where the number of red blood cells in your body are too low, potentially causing problems with oxygen getting to key organs.

If your child has low iron levels, you may notice that they:

are pale
appear irritable
don’t want to eat

Longer term, it can lead to:

slower growth
delayed motor skill development
a higher number of infections, as iron supports the immune system

Symptoms may not appear at first, but in time, your child may experience:

fatigue
pale skin
irritability
fast or irregular heartbeat
decreased appetite
slow weight gain
dizziness
headaches
lightheadedness
difficulty concentrating

Some studies have found that children who drank tea were more likely to have iron-deficiency anemia. One reason for this may be that tannin, found in tea, decreases the body’s ability to absorb iron. Another is that children may be too full to eat after drinking tea.

Related: 10 signs and symptoms of iron deficiency

Iron is essential for a rapidly growing toddler. That’s why a lot of cereals and other toddler foods are fortified with iron.

The recommended daily requirements for iron vary by age.

age 0–6 months: 0.27 milligrams (mg) per day
age 6–12 months: 11 mg per day
ages 1–3 years: 7 mg per day
ages 4–8 years: 10 mg per day

Infants born preterm or with a low birth weight usually need more iron than those born with a healthy weight.

Heme vs. nonheme iron

Dietary iron has two main forms: heme and nonheme. Plants contain nonheme iron. Meats and seafood contain both heme and nonheme iron.

The body doesn’t absorb nonheme iron as easily as heme iron. This is true for both toddlers and adults. If your child eats a vegetarian or mostly vegetarian diet, aim for twice as much iron as the recommended amount.

The body absorbs iron better when you consume it with a source of vitamin C. To enable the body to absorb more iron, serve iron-rich foods alongside foods rich in vitamin C.

Examples of foods high in vitamin C include:

orange juice and oranges
grapefruit
kiwifruit
broccoli
tomatoes
strawberries
bell peppers
papaya
cantaloupe
sweet potatoes

Feeding your toddler iron-rich foods alongside foods high in vitamin C can help decrease their risk of developing iron deficiency.

1. Lean meats

Meat and poultry contain large amounts of heme iron, which is easy for the body to digest. Beef, organ meats, and liver in particular have a lot of iron. A 3-ounce serving of beef liver, for example, contains 5 mg of iron.

Dark chicken and turkey meat are also rich sources.

Make your toddler a stew or casserole with soft, well-cooked lean meat. Make sure to remove the fatty part of the meat since there is very little iron in the fatty parts. Spaghetti with meat and tomato sauce is another iron-friendly option.

Related: Top lean proteins you should eat

2.

Fortified cereals

Fortified cereals and oatmeal are a good way to ensure your toddler gets enough iron.

A serving of iron-fortified cereals typically has 100 percent of the daily value for iron in just one serving. The exact amount will vary, so be sure to check the label. Dry cereals, like Cheerios, are usually fortified as well.

One cup of plain, uncooked, rolled oats contains around 3.5 mg of iron.

You can top your toddler’s iron-fortified breakfast cereal or oatmeal with some blueberries or strawberries for added vitamin C.

Note that while fortified cereals and juices can provide extra iron, they’re often high in sugar, too.

3. Beans

If you are aiming for a vegetarian diet or your child isn’t a fan of meat, beans are a great compromise. Soybeans, lima beans, kidney beans, lentils, and other beans and pulses contain iron, fiber, and other essential vitamins and minerals.

For example:

a half cup of white beans has 4 mg of iron
a half cup of lentils has 3 mg of iron
a half cup of red kidney beans has 2 mg of iron

Mash some cooked lentils or make a soup or mild chili. Try mashing in some enriched rice with your beans for a complete protein and high-iron meal.

You can also try serving your toddler some low sugar baked beans with a piece of whole wheat bread for a high iron lunch. A side of mashed sweet potatoes adds vitamin C to the dish.

Chickpeas, known to some as garbanzo beans, are another type of bean high in iron and a great snack for toddlers (and adults!). You can blend the chickpeas to make your own iron-rich hummus.

Be aware that some people have a chickpea allergy. If you’re not sure about giving your child chickpeas, ask your doctor first.

4. Spinach

Dark green leafy vegetables like kale, broccoli, and spinach are among your best vegetable options for iron.

A half cup of boiled, drained spinach contains about 3 mg of iron.

Try serving your toddler finely chopped, steamed spinach or add chopped spinach or other greens to their:

mac and cheese
scrambled eggs
smoothies

Related: Which is better, spinach or kale?

5.

Raisins and other dried fruit

Kids love to snack on raisins. The good news is that the dried fruit can give your toddler a boost in iron, while also helping prevent constipation. A quarter cup of raisins has about 1 mg of iron.

Related: Are dried fruits good or bad?

6. Pumpkin seeds

Pumpkin seeds are a good source of protein, fiber, healthy fats, and minerals, including iron. A quarter cup of pumpkin seeds contains 2.5 mg of iron.

Try making a trail mix with raisins, prunes, dried apricots, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds.

Keep in mind that raisins and seeds may be choking hazards for very young children. Mash or cut these foods into small pieces and keep watch on your toddler while they munch on them.

Related: Super healthy seeds you should eat

7. Eggs

Eggs are a good source of essential protein, vitamins, and minerals, including iron. One hard-boiled egg contains 1 mg of iron.

For years, people tried to limit their egg consumption because eggs also contain cholesterol, which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Current research suggests, however, that eggs don’t increase the risk of CVD, after all.

Toddlers can eat eggs in many ways, such as:

soft boiled with toast sticks
hard boiled, whole or mashed
scrambled
as an omelet
in rice and noodle dishes

You can add chopped spinach and other iron-rich foods to omelets and scrambled eggs. Try different ways to see how your toddler likes them best.

Always make sure the egg is fresh and well cooked. If you can, use fresh, locally sourced organic, free-range eggs.

Related: Top 10 health benefits of eggs

8. Green peas

Green peas contain protein, fiber, iron, and other nutrients. Many toddlers love them, they’re easy to prepare, and they pair well with many dishes.

A half cup of green peas provides 1 mg of iron.

You can boil peas and serve them as a side, mash them with root vegetables for infants, or add them to soups, stews, and savory rice.

Keep a bag of peas in the freezer or get fresh peas in the pod in season. Ask your toddler to help you shell the fresh peas.

Peas may pose a choking hazard for young children, so consider mashing them for infants.

Related: Why green peas are healthy and nutritious

9. Tuna

Canned light tuna is a low calorie and low fat addition to your child’s diet that also supplies iron and other important nutrients like protein and omega-3 fatty acids.

Three ounces of light tuna, canned in water, contains 1 mg of iron.

Combine shredded tuna with pureed vegetables to boost your toddler’s iron intake, but hold off if seafood allergies run in your family.

Related: Mercury in tuna. How to eat it safely

10. Tofu

Tofu is a mild and versatile plant-based food that provides complete protein, calcium, iron, and other nutrients. It can provide some of the essential nutrients your toddler needs if they don’t eat meat.

A half cup of tofu contains 3 mg of iron.

Tofu comes in different forms. Firm tofu you can chop and add to salads or stir fries, bake or use to make nuggets. Silken tofu has a softer texture. You can mix it with salad dressings, add it to smoothies, or put fruit with it for a dessert.

There have been concerns about whether isoflavones, an ingredient in tofu, could be harmful for hormone balance. Experts currently believe this is “unlikely.”

Related: Using tofu and how to prepare it safely

According to the National Institutes of Health, around 12 percent of infants in their first year, and around 8 percent of toddlers have low iron levels.

It is always best for your child to get their nutrients from food, but if your doctor thinks your child may have iron-deficiency anemia, they may prescribe iron supplements.

Follow the instructions your doctor gives you and keep all supplements out of the reach of children. Consuming too much iron can lead to serious health problems.

Never give your child iron supplements without first consulting a doctor. Most children don’t need supplemental iron.

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1. Increasing iron intake

A person with reduced levels of hemoglobin may benefit from eating more iron-rich foods. Iron works to boost the production of hemoglobin, which also helps to form more red blood cells.

Iron-rich foods include:

meat and fish
soy products, including tofu and edamame
eggs
dried fruits, such as dates and figs
broccoli
green leafy vegetables, such as kale and spinach
green beans
nuts and seeds
peanut butter

2. Increasing folate intake

Folate is a type of vitamin B that plays an essential part in hemoglobin production. The body uses folate to produce heme, a component of hemoglobin that helps to carry oxygen.

If a person does not get enough folate their red blood cells will not be able to mature, which could lead to folate-deficiency anemia and low hemoglobin levels.

Good sources of folate include:

beef
spinach
rice
peanuts
black-eyed peas
kidney beans
avocadoes
lettuce

Folate supplements are available for purchase online.

3. Maximizing iron absorption

Consuming iron in foods or supplements is important, but a person should also help their body to absorb that iron.

Foods rich in vitamin C, such as citrus fruits, strawberries, and leafy green vegetables, can boost the amount of iron absorbed. Taking a vitamin C supplement may also help.

Vitamin A and beta-carotene can aid the body in absorbing and using iron.

Foods rich in vitamin A include:

fish
liver
squash
sweet potatoes
kale and collards

Foods high in beta-carotene include yellow, red, and orange fruits and vegetables, such as:

carrots
sweet potatoes
squash
cantaloupes
mangoes

While vitamin A supplements can help the body to process iron, the vitamin is dangerous if too much is consumed.

Excess vitamin A may lead to a condition known as hypervitaminosis A. This can cause symptoms such as bone and joint pain, severe headaches, and increased pressure within the brain.

4. Taking iron supplements

A doctor may advise a person with extremely low levels of hemoglobin to take iron supplements. The dosage will depend on a person’s levels.

It is important to note that too much iron can be dangerous. It may cause hemochromatosis, which can lead to liver disease and side effects such as constipation, nausea, and vomiting.

Supplements will cause levels of iron to increase gradually over a few weeks. A doctor may recommend taking the supplements for several months, to increase the body’s iron stores.

Iron supplements are available for purchase online.

A doctor will check for low hemoglobin with a blood test.

Low hemoglobin is diagnosed when a man has less than 13.5 grams per deciliter (g/dL) of hemoglobin in the blood, or when a woman has less than 12 g/dL.

A person may have a low hemoglobin level for a variety of reasons, including:

iron-deficiency anemia
pregnancy
problems with the liver or kidneys
chronic disease

It is possible to have naturally reduced hemoglobin levels without an underlying cause. Some may even have low hemoglobin and experience no symptoms or indications.

With a doctor’s guidance, a person can boost their levels of hemoglobin to fall within a normal range. Normal ranges are:

13.5 to 17.5 g/dL for men
12 to 15.5 g/dL for women

Appropriate hemoglobin levels for children vary depending on age. Anyone concerned about a child’s hemoglobin levels should speak with a doctor.

People with very low hemoglobin levels may need additional treatment if taking supplements and changing the diet do not show sufficient results.

Symptoms of extremely low levels of hemoglobin include:

a fast or irregular heartbeat
pale skin and gums
fatigue
muscle weakness
frequent or unexplained bruising
reoccurring headaches

A person with low hemoglobin may have anemia. Common causes of anemia include:

being deficient in iron, vitamin B-12, or folate
substantial blood loss
cancers that affect the bone marrow, such as leukemia
kidney disease
liver disease
hypothyroidism, or a thyroid gland that does not produce enough hormones
thalassemia, a hereditary disease that prevents hemoglobin from functioning properly
sickle cell anemia, a genetic disorder that causes a reduction in red blood cells and hemoglobin

Low hemoglobin levels can also be caused by:

lung disease
excessive smoking
burns
extreme physical exercise

Many people can boost their hemoglobin levels with dietary changes and supplements. Speak with a doctor to determine the correct supplement dosage.

If hemoglobin levels remain low, a person may need further treatment, such as a blood transfusion.

Depending on the cause of low hemoglobin and the treatments attempted, it may take up to a year for levels to reach a healthy range.

Read this article in Spanish.

How to raise hemoglobin in a child | How to increase hemoglobin in a baby

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What should be the hemoglobin in a child, the reasons for low levels and five ways to raise hemoglobin in children.

3 min. for reading Feb. 17, 2022

Hemoglobin is the main building block of erythrocytes (red blood cells). Its main task is to transport oxygen from the lungs to the cells of the body and take in carbon dioxide. An unsatisfactory level of this iron-containing protein leads to oxygen starvation and, as a result, to a deterioration in the health of the baby. The risks are high, from reduced immunity and skin disease to heart failure and developmental delay. What indicators are considered normal, and when should you urgently visit a doctor? And how to increase hemoglobin in a child? nine0003

Permissible hemoglobin level

The main thing you need to know: the norms of iron in the blood are different for different ages. So, the highest rate in infants is immediately after birth and over the next 2-4 weeks, the hemoglobin level can be 125-240 g / l.

Much also depends on the nutrition of the expectant mother: if the diet was varied, the baby will get a good supply of iron.

A month after birth, the baby's hemoglobin drops and now fluctuates between 115-200 g/l. In six months, the numbers change again: 110-140 g / l. And healthy children who are one year old have indicators of 110-140 g / l. nine0003

Low iron

If readings are below 100-110 g/l, it's time to see a doctor. Figures below 60 g/l bear the greatest risk.

The easiest way to determine the level of iron-containing protein is to take a complete blood count.

Why is the child's hemoglobin below normal

The most common causes:

Poor nutrition
Infectious diseases
Gastrointestinal disease
Vitamin deficiency
Lack of physical activity
The baby was born prematurely
Improper nutrition of the mother during pregnancy
Genetic predisposition
Serious blood loss (after surgery or injury)

Factors that reduce the amount of iron-containing protein can be very different: from the lifestyle of the family and the baby in particular, to the change of season and place of residence. nine0003

Symptoms of low hemoglobin

Parents should be alert for the following symptoms in their child:

Lethargy, drowsiness, constant fatigue
Poor appetite, apathy, depression
Dizziness, headache, syncope
Respiratory failure, palpitations
Pale and dry skin, thinning hair
Impairment of memory and concentration
Physical development delay (weight, height)

How to increase hemoglobin in a child

The main way to maintain an optimal protein level is to saturate the body with enough iron and substances that contribute to its best absorption.

TOP 5 ways to raise hemoglobin in children

Breastfeed your baby for at least 6 months .

Mother's milk is the main source of iron and a special protein - lactoferrin, which improves the absorption of this iron. Therefore, pediatricians recommend breastfeeding a child from six months to a year. nine0003

Give your baby a balanced diet

The baby's diet should contain foods that are rich in iron and contribute to better absorption of this trace element. These are meat and offal, eggs (yolks), fish, wholemeal bread, cottage cheese, legumes (beans, lentils, peas), spinach, vegetables (beets, cucumbers, broccoli), berries (garden and forest), fruits (pears , apples, apricots, citrus fruits), buckwheat, nuts.

For prevention - hematogen

Hematogen bar is another way to improve performance. And it is nutritious and tasty and the baby will like it. It is recommended to check with your doctor about the amount and duration of admission.

Hematogen is a prophylactic agent for stimulating hematopoiesis. The composition contains dried processed blood of cattle and flavoring additives: condensed milk, ascorbic acid, honey. It is indicated for malnutrition, iron deficiency, and also after a recent illness. nine0003

Add exercise and fresh air

An active lifestyle and massage help raise hemoglobin in children. Additionally, do not forget about regular walks in the fresh air (at least two hours a day) and airing the room.

See a doctor

The best way to prevent problems and complications is to have regular tests and check-ups with your doctor.

It is possible to increase hemoglobin in a child only after contacting a specialist. The doctor will determine the cause, develop a treatment plan and talk about preventive measures. nine0003

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How to raise hemoglobin in a child - the blog of the medical center ON Clinic

Hemoglobin is a protein that contains iron, it carries oxygen from the lungs to the organs. The pathology in which the level of hemoglobin falls below normal is called anemia

Anemia is accompanied by weakness, headaches, tinnitus, decreased appetite and sleep disturbance. The most vulnerable category of patients with anemia are children of early and school age. Schoolchildren get tired quickly, learn more slowly and remember less information, do not get enough sleep and become irritable. In severe anemia, dystrophic changes occur in the heart muscle - this leads to disruption of the heart and circulatory failure. nine0003

Hemoglobin levels can be raised by drugs and food. However, the choice of treatment depends on the type of anemia and its cause. In this article, we will answer the questions: what is the norm of hemoglobin in children, why does it decrease, what foods does it contain, and how to prevent anemia in children.

Hemoglobin - what is the norm for a child

Each blood indicator has a norm, including hemoglobin. The World Health Organization cites the following norms for hemoglobin in children:

newborns up to 2 weeks of age - not less than 150 g/l;
children from 2 to 4 weeks of age - 120 g/l and above;
children aged 6 to 59 months - 110-140 g/l;
children aged 5 to 11 years - 115-140 g/l;
children aged 12 to 14 years - 120-150 g/l;
children and adults over 15 years old - 130-160 g/l.

Anything less is considered mild (below normal but above 90 g/l), moderate (70-90 g/l), or severe (below 70 g/l) anemia. Each of the three degrees of severity has its own symptoms and treatment tactics. nine0003

Why a child has low hemoglobin

Reasons for a decrease in hemoglobin in children: blood loss, insufficient blood production in the bone marrow and increased destruction of red blood cells.

Causes of low hemoglobin

Causes of low hemoglobin levels:

malignant (cancerous) tumors;
anemia due to vitamin deficiency;
iron deficiency anemia;
aplastic anemia;
cirrhosis of the liver; nine0034
Hodgkin's lymphoma;
hypothyroidism;
chronic kidney disease.

The first reason is blood loss. It is acute and chronic. Usually, the hemoglobin level decreases several hours after the onset of blood loss. Chronic blood loss leads to anemia when there is not enough iron in the body to produce new red blood cells. Examples of blood loss: gastrointestinal ulcer bleeding, bowel or kidney cancer, bone fractures, recent surgery, heavy menstruation in teenage girls. nine0003

The second reason is low blood production (insufficiency of erythropoiesis). In this case, a decrease in hemoglobin level is caused by infections, hereditary pathologies, kidney diseases, copper and folic acid deficiency, vitamin B1 deficiency and malabsorption.

In addition, insufficiency of erythropoiesis occurs in myelofibrosis and osteomyelosclerosis. Myelofibrosis is a pathology in which fibrous tissue gradually replaces hematopoietic tissue in the bone marrow. Osteomyelosclerosis is a replacement by hematopoietic connective tissue. These disorders usually occur with cancers: lymphoma, multiple myeloma, chronic myelogenous leukemia. nine0003

The third reason is the increased destruction of erythrocytes. It happens with a pathological enlargement of the spleen, taking certain medications (quinine, quinidine, penicillin, ticlopidine), hemolytic uremic syndrome, Epstein-Barr virus infection (human herpes virus type 4), malaria, botulism, tetanus, congenital heart valve defects, spider bites , insufficiency of the level of phosphates in the blood.

Other causes of a decrease in the level of hemoglobin in the blood:

inflammatory diseases of the small and large intestine; nine0034
insufficient intake of iron in the child's body;
chronic kidney disease;
prematurity;
late or early cord ligation;
giardiasis - a parasitic disease of the intestine;
Helicobacter pylori infection and atrophic gastritis.

There are groups and risk factors that can lead to low hemoglobin levels and the most common type of anemia, iron deficiency:

if the child was born with low birth weight;
children born from multiple pregnancies;
children who did not get enough iron through breastfeeding and formula milk;
children who often carry infectious diseases;
children with allergies;
malnutrition, poverty.

Not always a decrease in hemoglobin level is regarded as a pathology. Children, especially teenagers, need a lot of iron to develop. Due to the rapid growth of the microelement, it may be temporarily lacking, so the level of hemoglobin in the blood decreases. This is especially true for children and adolescents who are actively involved in sports. They may develop athlete's anemia. When eating foods high in iron, the deficiency is eliminated. nine0003

How low hemoglobin manifests itself

The symptoms of low hemoglobin appear in different ways. They can be divided into groups of symptoms: asthenic, epithelial, cardiovascular, muscular and secondary immunodeficiency syndrome.

Asthenic symptoms are manifested by increased fatigue, irritability, emotional instability, lethargy, absent-mindedness. Children do not sleep well, eat little or do not want to eat at all. Children may complain of tinnitus, dizziness and headaches. nine0003

Epithelial symptoms: in children, a pale face, areas of the legs and nails, pale ears and mucous membranes of the mouth. The skin is dry and often flaky. Hair becomes brittle and may fall out. "Jumps" appear in the corners of the mouth. The child may complain of burning tongue and dry mouth, difficulty swallowing and nausea.

Cardiovascular symptoms: palpitations, rarely shortness of breath. Sometimes the child complains of pain in the region of the heart.

Muscular symptoms: muscles weaken, the child quickly tires from simple activities, may defecate involuntarily day and night due to weakness of the sphincter muscle. nine0003

Secondary immunodeficiency syndrome is manifested by the fact that the child often suffers from colds. Often he has otitis media, pneumonia and intestinal infections. Rare symptoms of low hemoglobin levels are an increase in body temperature up to 38 ⁰ C, urine with a red tint, swelling on the face.

Low hemoglobin - what to do

If you notice any of the above symptoms in your child, contact your pediatrician. He will examine the child, listen to heart sounds, give a direction for a general and biochemical blood test, which can confirm a reduced hemoglobin level. After the doctor has diagnosed anemia and identified its cause, the child is prescribed treatment and diet. nine0003

Depending on the cause of anemia, the doctor prescribes different treatments. For example, with deficiency anemia (when the body does not receive enough nutrients), medications are prescribed to compensate for the deficiency: B vitamins or iron supplements. With B12-deficiency anemia, the doctor prescribes vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin), and in severe cases, red blood cell transfusion is indicated. For anemia of chronic disease, iron supplements and recombinant erythropoietin are prescribed.

Often, anemic syndrome occurs with other diseases, such as kidney disease, infections, or disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. In this case, the doctor prescribes the treatment of the underlying disease, which will restore the level of hemoglobin in the blood.

Foods that increase hemoglobin

Foods can increase hemoglobin levels in iron deficiency anemia. Other types (dyshemopoietic, posthemorrhagic, hemolytic, B12 deficiency anemia) require specific drug treatment, blood transfusion or surgery. nine0003

List of products that increase hemoglobin:

tahini halva contains more than 50 mg of iron per 100 g of product. Halva also contains vitamins E, B, phosphorus, zinc and calcium. Some of these substances improve the absorption of iron in the digestive tract;
meat products: beef, liver, tongue, rabbit, veal. The iron content in these products ranges from 5 to 30 mg per 100 g of product;
dried mushrooms: they contain up to 30 mg of iron per 100 g of finished product; nine0034
seafood: squid, shrimp, shellfish, caviar, scallops. They contain up to 30 mg of iron per 100 g of product;
wheat bran contains up to 15 mg of iron per 100 g of product;
sea kale contains up to 12 mg of iron per 100 g of product;
beets - 30 mg of a trace element per 100 g of product;
pomegranate - up to 30 mg of iron per 100 g of product.
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