Anemia, which is one of the top five most common chronic diseases in our society, is actually a condition that we have brought into being. However, it is possible to keep iron intake adequate with daily foods. 2 out of every 5 children (40%) in the world are anemic, but MANY of them are anemic. Unfortunately, they do not know their situation. While the prevalence of anemia in children aged 0-5 is 4-20% in developed countries, this rate rises to 80% in the same age group in underdeveloped countries. In our country, this rate is quite high, at 50% (one in every two children). ANEMIA, which is a common cause of illness and developmental delay in children when ignored, is the name given to the decrease in the red blood cells or hemoglobin in the red blood cells. Although there are many causes of anemia in children, the most common cause is anemia due to iron deficiency. The reasons that lead to iron deficiency are; Insufficient iron intake due to inadequate and balanced nutrition, increased iron need due to rapid growth, and blood loss due to various reasons.
Anemia due to iron deficiency is seen in all age groups, but is most common between 6 months and 2 years of age. Since our mothers' blood levels are low and their iron stores are insufficient, the amount of iron that must be passed to the baby is insufficient 1-2 months before birth. If anemia is mild, no symptoms may be observed. However, anemia can be detected as a result of blood analysis. Sometimes anemia patients present with PIKA. Pica is the ingestion of non-food substances. For example, the child begins to eat clay, sand, ash, soil, paper; this is a behavioral disorder, but it is mostly accompanied by iron deficiency and improves after iron treatment. It passes.
Apart from these, the following symptoms may occur:
Dizziness, tinnitus,
Cracks at the corner of the mouth,
Nails taking the shape of a spoon. , formation of cracks,
Redness of the tongue, formation of cracks and blisters,
Difficulty in swallowing, painful swallowing,
Children with iron deficiency are delayed in walking, sitting and speaking. Behavior disorders occur in these children and learning becomes difficult. The immune system weakens and the possibility of contracting the disease increases.
The symptoms of iron deficiency in the childhood age group are not specific. Marked anemia occurs It is difficult to define so far. They tend to develop so slowly that they are often difficult to notice. Iron deficiency anemia may cause different symptoms and findings depending on age groups.
Symptoms of anemia and iron deficiency in babies;They may have poor appetite, restlessness, joylessness, weakness, their movements are slow, and they may have sleep disorders. In these babies, on physical examination, the inside of the eyelids, palms, soles, and nail beds are pale. However, all these symptoms may remain faint. If anemia is evident, pallor, weakness, restlessness, loss of appetite, rapid fatigue, delay in sitting, crawling and walking, seizures, palpitations, shortness of breath may be observed. Especially in people who experience hair loss or whose hair grows late, iron deficiency is common. ; and this is accompanied by zinc and biotin deficiency, except for iron. Also, in some overseas studies, findings such as decreased perception, difficulty in understanding and learning difficulties were detected in children who had iron deficiency for more than 2 years. Diagnosis of the disease is made as a result of blood analyses.
It is when the amount of hemoglobin in the blood falls below 13 g/dL in adult men and 12 g/dL in women. A level below 11 g/dL in children between 6 months and 6 years of age, and below 12 g/dL in ages 6-14, is considered anemia.
The patient whose anemia was detected as a result of blood analysis should be evaluated for reasons other than iron deficiency that cause anemia. is evaluated and, if necessary, tests are performed to determine the cause. Drops or syrups containing iron are used. Medicines are given between meals. Foods rich in iron (meat, fish, chicken, raisins, grape molasses, tahini, eggs, legumes, nuts) are mainly given in the diet. Spinach is not as rich in iron as it is thought.
GOOD FOR IRON DEFICIENCY. FOODS FROM;
Red offal from animal foods is the richest source of iron. Other beneficial foods are; red meat, chicken, eggs, shellfish and fish (salmon being the richest). Among the plants, wheat, corn and oats are richer in iron when they are grained. Like many other vitamins and minerals, iron is found especially in the outer part of cereal grains; For example, when wheat is milled, 75% of the iron it contains remains in its bran, that is, wheat flour contains only 25% less than grain wheat. Contains orders. Although spinach is known to be rich in iron content, this information is not completely accurate, because the iron found in many vegetables such as spinach and kale does not have as much benefit to the body as it is thought due to some of the substances it contains. Nuts and seeds such as raisins, dried apricots, prunes, almonds, peanuts and walnuts are not very rich in iron, but they contain sufficient iron. One tablespoon of molasses contains approximately 3 mg of iron. Drinking a glass of orange juice a day increases the absorption of iron from plants by one fold, while consumption of tea and coffee reduces iron absorption by 75%. It is also good to avoid giving iron-containing foods and medications together with calcium-containing dairy products and leave an hour in between for the absorption of iron.
Excess cow's milk should not be consumed more than half a liter per day, as it may cause anemia. Medications containing iron have some side effects - Teeth may be temporarily stained black. If the medications are given towards the base of the tongue, the staining will be minimal. Dark color may occur in the poop. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or abdominal pain may occur. If the complaints persist, the dose is reduced or the medication group is changed. Iron medications are continued until the patient's blood hemoglobin level reaches the normal level for his age. After the blood level reaches normal, the medication is continued to be taken in half doses for another 1-2 months in order to replenish the body's iron stores. It will be good for the child to have a blood test and iron measurement once a year until the age of 18, until the growth period is completed, for the person to grow healthier.
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