Early supplementation of iron treatment, otherwise it will affect intellectual development. At the same time, you can eat iron-fortified foods.
Iron-rich foods: breast milk, egg yolks, orange juice, vegetable juice, vegetable puree , liver puree, meat puree and iron-fortified foods (such as iron, fortified milk powder, rice flour, flour) and iron-fortified formula milk. Minced meat, fish, tofu, liver, lean meat, soy products, animal blood, millet, sorghum, corn, green leafy vegetables, yellow and red vegetables, black fungus, kelp, seaweed.
Common causes of anemia in children
A common anemia in children is iron deficiency anemia. This is because:
(l) Children are born with insufficient iron stores. Normal full-term newborns obtain enough iron from their mothers to meet their hematopoietic needs for 3 to 4 months after birth. However, premature birth, twin pregnancies, fetal blood loss, and maternal iron deficiency anemia can cause insufficient iron storage in children.
(2) Iron intake is insufficient. The diet of newborns is mainly human milk or cow's milk, and the iron content in human milk and cow's milk is low. If they are fed solely with milk without adding complementary foods containing more iron in time, they are prone to anemia.
(3) Growth and development are determined. Growth and development are rapid during infancy. At 3 to 5 months old, the weight is twice as much as at birth, and at 1 year old, it is 3 times as much as at birth. If the baby is born prematurely, the weight will increase faster. As body weight increases, blood volume also increases rapidly, which can lead to iron deficiency and anemia.
(4) Excessive iron loss. Normal babies excrete more millimeter every day than adults, and lose relatively more iron from the skin. If they are allergic to protein and suffer from small intestinal bleeding, they will lose even more iron. In addition, some diseases such as chronic diarrhea, intussusception, intestinal polyps, etc. can increase iron consumption and cause anemia.
What is iron deficiency anemia?
Iron deficiency anemia (ida) refers to a microcytic, hypochromic anemia caused by insufficient iron storage in the body, which affects hemoglobin synthesis. It is the most common type of anemia in all parts of the world, including in my country.
The incidence of this disease is very high, almost all over the world, whether in urban or rural areas, it can occur in children, adults or the elderly. The incidence is particularly high in areas where hookworm disease is endemic. According to a survey report by the World Health Organization, about 10% to 30% of the world's population has varying degrees of iron deficiency. The incidence rate is approximately 10% in men and greater than 20% in women. The incidence rate is higher in Asia than in Europe.
The World Health Organization reports that half of women in the third world suffer from anemia due to malnutrition, which is called nutritional anemia. The incidence rate in women, especially pregnant women, may be 10 times higher than in men. Except for China, among the 464 million women of childbearing age (15-19 years old) in developing countries, about 230 million women are affected by the disease. Among them, India may become the country with the most anemia patients in the world. Among pregnant women, about Accounting for 60% to 80%. The main cause of malnutrition is firstly iron deficiency and secondly vitamin B12 deficiency. It can be seen that the disease affects such a wide area and the number of affected women is so large, which is very alarming and deserves attention. The prevention and treatment of malnutrition anemia has become a worldwide concern.
Rational use of iron supplements
Iron supplements are effective drugs for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia, but improper use will affect the efficacy and delay treatment. Therefore, when using iron supplements, you must pay attention to the following points:
First, choose iron supplements reasonably according to the severity of the condition
1. Patients with mild anemia should use ferrous sulfate, but if If the patient also suffers from digestive tract diseases or the patient is a pregnant woman with severe reaction, ferrous sulfate should not be used, but iron dextran should be used, because ferrous sulfate is highly irritating to the gastrointestinal tract.
2. For patients with severe anemia, taking iron dextran can quickly alleviate the lack of iron required for hematopoiesis and prevent complications such as heart disease.
3. For infants and young children with anemia, ferric ammonium citrate syrup should be used.
Second, master the effective medication time
Iron is mainly absorbed in the duodenum. Food can slow down gastrointestinal motility and prolong the absorption of iron in the duodenum. It is best to take iron supplements 30 minutes after meals. This will not only increase the amount of iron absorbed, but also greatly reduce the irritation of the iron supplement to the gastrointestinal tract. 30 minutes after a meal, gastric acid secretion is strong, which is beneficial to the absorption of iron. In recent years, chronopharmacokinetic studies have found that the absorption rate of iron supplements taken at 7 pm is doubled compared to that taken at 7 am, so 7 pm is the best time to take iron pills every day.
Third, precautions
1. During the period of taking iron supplements, you should eat more fructose, fruits, juices and various acidic foods to promote the absorption of iron.
2. Vitamin C and dilute hydrochloric acid can be taken at the same time at regular doses to help absorb iron.
3. Rutin, tetracyclines, neomycin, allopurinol, chloramphenicol, meglumine, cholestyramine, cimetidine, penicillamine, Vitamin E, hydralazine, aspirin, compound salvia miltiorrhiza tablets, pancreatic enzyme preparations, oral contraceptives, calcium carbonate, magnesium oxide, aluminum hydroxide, furanonitramine, proglutamine and antacid Chinese herbal medicine containing calcium and magnesium ions.
4. Avoid drinking tea, because tea contains tannic acid that can bind to iron, which affects the absorption of iron.
5. Iron supplementation for children should be approved by a doctor.
6. Iron supplements can combine with hydrogen sulfide in the intestines to form black iron sulfide precipitates, so patients will excrete black stool after taking iron supplements. The patient should be informed in advance to avoid misunderstanding and unnecessary tension. .
Fourth, course of treatment
After taking iron supplements, it usually takes 1 to 2 months to return to normal. However, it must be noted that even if the drug returns to normal, the drug cannot be stopped. It must be continued for at least one month, and then the dosage can be reduced for 2 to 3 months, so that the normal level of iron storage in the body can be truly restored. Otherwise, once iron supplementation is stopped, anemia will return and treatment will have to start from scratch.
Careful parents give their children a "blood-tonifying dish"
Nowadays, iron deficiency anemia in children has become another new disease of affluence in children in addition to obesity and myopia. Doctors point out that unreasonable diet, picky eaters and partial eclipse are important causes of iron deficiency anemia in children.
Doctors said that in addition to a few congenital physical factors, the main reasons for children with iron deficiency anemia are related to their daily diet and living habits. Many children like to drink yogurt and eat chocolate as soon as they wake up. Some children drink frozen milk and eat fruit on an empty stomach early in the morning. Some parents do not have the habit of eating breakfast. Therefore, their children often skip breakfast and stay late with their parents. Children who go to bed early and get up early do not have time to have a good breakfast every day, and will suffer from iron deficiency anemia in the long run.
If adolescents with iron deficiency anemia do not take iron supplements in time, they may suffer from symptoms such as decreased physical strength, decreased memory, and decreased levels of cellular immunity, which may easily induce upper respiratory tract infections such as colds and tracheitis. Focusing on blood replenishment, the simplest way is to let children eat more iron-rich foods to increase hemoglobin. These foods mainly include lean meat, pork liver, egg yolk, kelp, chicken liver, seaweed, mushrooms and soy products.
Animal liver: Liver is rich in various nutrients and is the first choice food to prevent iron deficiency anemia. Every 100 grams of pork liver contains 25 mg of iron and is easily absorbed by the body. For example, liver puree is very convenient for children to eat.
Egg yolk: Each 100 grams of egg yolk contains 7 mg of iron. Although the iron absorption rate is only 3%, egg raw materials are easy to obtain, easy to eat and preserve, and it is also rich in other nutrients, so it is still a good iron supplement for children. one of the sources.
Soybeans and their products: Every 100 grams of soybeans and soybean powder contains 11 mg of iron, and the human body absorption rate is 7%.
Tahini: Tahini is rich in various nutrients and is an excellent nutritional food for children. Tahini contains 58 mg of iron per 100 grams and is also rich in calcium, phosphorus, protein and fat.
Doctors remind that the actual absorption of iron in some foods is low due to interference from plant acids. The most qualified foods include pork liver, chicken and duck blood soup, lean meat, fish and shrimp, etc. In addition, eating a tomato or drinking a glass of orange juice before a meal can exponentially increase the absorption of iron. Drinking tea before or after a meal will greatly inhibit the body's absorption of iron.
The doctor gave a dietary prescription for anemia: spinach and wolfberry porridge. Parents can learn from it and draw inferences from one example.
Ingredients: 100g spinach, 15g wolfberry, 100g corn.
Preparation: Remove the impurities from the spinach, wash the roots, blanch it in a pot of boiling water, take it out, cut the spinach into small pieces (within 0.5 cm), put it into a bowl and set aside. . Wash the corn and wolfberry, put them into a casserole, add an appropriate amount of water, bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer over low heat for 1 hour, until the corn is crispy, add small pieces of spinach, mix evenly, add refined salt and MSG, and then Bring to a boil, pour in sesame oil, stir evenly and serve.
Usage: Eat in the morning and evening every day.
Efficacy: Nourishes the liver and kidneys, nourishes blood and strengthens the spleen. It is especially suitable for children during their growth period and adolescent anemia patients.
"Rich people" should also prevent anemia
As we all know, anemia used to be a "disease of poverty", but some recent surveys have found that with improved living conditions, anemia has not decreased, but has actually increased. rising trend. The reason is that people's diet structure has changed, with more meat and dairy products, but in comparison, they eat too little vegetables and fruits.
This kind of anemia caused by unreasonable diet structure and too little vegetable intake is very common among fast-food eaters and teenagers. Everyone only pays attention to the intake of meat and milk, which basically ensures adequate intake of protein and iron. However, protein and iron alone are not enough. They lack the B vitamins (folic acid and vitamins b6 and b12) in vegetables and fruits. ), like vitamin C, can cause anemia. The main function of B vitamins is to promote the maturation of the hematopoietic system and the synthesis of hemoglobin. Its deficiency will lead to the inability to synthesize hemoglobin normally; vitamin C can help the iron in food combine with transferrin in the blood to promote the absorption and utilization of iron. Its deficiency will result in inability to absorb and utilize even if sufficient iron is eaten. Therefore, eating more vegetables and fruits is crucial to preventing anemia.
So, how to prevent and treat anemia through diet? It is recommended that you do the following: Eat a balanced diet and diversify your food. Pay attention to the proportions of meat, milk, grains, fruits and vegetables, mix meat and vegetables, and avoid a partial eclipse.
Pay attention to supplementing iron, B vitamins and vitamin C.
Foods rich in iron and with high absorption rates include: animal blood, pork liver, lean meat, eggs, beans, green leafy vegetables, fruits, kelp, black fungus, peanuts, walnuts, lentils, Oatmeal, pea yellow, oysters, beef jerky, etc.
Foods rich in folic acid, vitamins b6, and b12 include: green fresh vegetables, fruits, peanuts, yeast, soy products, animal livers, kidneys, etc.
Foods rich in vitamin C include: fresh vegetables and fruits, such as peppers, spinach, tomatoes, leeks, kiwis, wild dates, citrus, red fruits, grapefruit, strawberries and oranges.
Correct bad living habits. Alcoholism consumes a lot of B vitamins; excessive dieting often leads to a lack of various nutrients; a hobby of strong tea can also greatly affect the absorption of iron.
Improve cooking methods. Dishes that are a little acidic can help iron absorption. In addition, when making vegetables such as spinach that contain a lot of oxalic acid and phytic acid, blanch them in hot water to remove the oxalic acid and phytic acid, and then stir-fry or mix them to eat, which can also greatly improve the absorption rate of iron.
What medicine is good for iron deficiency anemia
Iron deficiency anemia (also called nutritional anemia) is a common disease in infants and young children. It is caused by the lack of iron necessary for hematopoiesis. caused. According to surveys, the incidence of anemia in infants and young children under 6 years old ranges from 20% to 40%.
Iron deficiency anemia can be diagnosed when the hemoglobin of infants and young children under 6 years old (excluding newborns) is less than 110 g/L. The main causes of iron deficiency anemia are: ① Rapid growth and development of infants and young children, increased iron requirements, especially premature infants. ②Lack of iron in the diet. After the baby is 3 to 4 months old, the iron from the mother's body has been exhausted, and the milk-based diet contains very little iron, which cannot meet its growth needs. ③Excessive loss of iron, such as small, chronic blood loss caused by anal fissure, intestinal polyps, hookworm disease, etc. ④Others such as diarrhea, acute and chronic infections, etc.
Recommendation: Please pay attention to the following points when taking vitamins. Are the vitamins you take effective?
The symptoms of children with anemia usually include: pale skin and mucous membranes, especially the lips, nail beds and oral mucosa. Obvious; easily feel tired, less active; have anorexia, and even have heterophilia (like eating soil, wall dust, etc.). Severe anemia may cause enlargement of the liver, spleen, lymph nodes, and heart enlargement. Moreover, before the onset of anemia, children have symptoms such as irritability, hyperactivity, inattention, slow reaction, poor memory, and low IQ. However, these symptoms often fail to attract the attention of parents.
When hemoglobin is between 100 and 110 grams/liter, it can be treated through diet, that is, eating more foods rich in iron and with high iron absorption rate, such as animal liver, lean pork, soybeans and soy products. wait. Animal liver contains 25 mg of iron per 100 grams, and the absorption rate can reach about 22%; red meat, such as lean pork and lean beef, contains 2.4 mg and 3.2 mg of iron per 100 grams respectively, and the absorption rate can also be Reaching 22%; animal blood contains 3 to 4 mg of iron per 100 grams, and the absorption rate is 12%. In addition, the iron content in soybeans and soybean products is not low. Every 100 grams of soybeans contains 11 mg of iron, and the absorption rate reaches 7%. It should be eaten regularly. It should be pointed out in particular that although the iron content in egg yolks is high, the absorption rate is only 3%, so eating more egg yolks is not the best food to prevent and treat iron deficiency anemia.
When hemoglobin is below 100-110 g/L, iron treatment is required. Commonly used ones include ferrous sulfate and ferric fumarate. Iron can irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa and cause adverse reactions such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. It can cause patients to be intolerant and stop treatment midway, and the anemia cannot be corrected. In recent years, animal experimental studies have shown that taking iron supplements every 3 days or 2 days a week to treat iron deficiency anemia has the same efficacy as taking iron supplements every day. The results after clinical application have also confirmed the above-mentioned effects, and there are few side effects. The treatment can be continued and the hemoglobin can rise to more than 100 g/L.
The dosage of iron treatment for infants and young children should be based on the standard of 4 to 6 mg of elemental iron per kilogram of body weight (the same as the general treatment amount) every 3 days or 2 days a week. Specifically, the dosage of ferrous sulfate is 0.15 to 0.30 grams per day for infants and young children, and 0.30 to 0.60 grams per day for children; the dosage of ferrous succinate is 0.15 to 0.30 grams per day for infants and children, and 0.20 to 0.40 grams per day for children. ; The dosage of ferrous gluconate is 0.30 to 0.50 grams per day for infants and young children, and 0.60 to 1.20 grams per day for children.
Taking vitamin C at the same time as iron supplements can promote the absorption of iron supplements, but avoid taking them with milk, tea, and coffee at the same time to avoid affecting the absorption of iron. After about 4 to 6 weeks of treatment, after the hemoglobin reaches the normal value, you still need to continue taking it for 4 to 6 weeks to store part of the iron in the body to prevent infection or gastrointestinal diseases from affecting the absorption of iron and causing another anemia.