Baby's anemia symptoms

Written by Gong Hui
Pediatrics
Updated on September 05, 2024
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The clinical manifestations of anemia in children mainly appear in the following aspects: Pale skin and mucous membranes, such as pale complexion, conjunctivae, or nails, and in more severe cases, the skin may appear waxen yellow. Anemia also affects bodily systems, leading to increased respiration and heart rate, and impacting digestive functions, evident in reduced appetite, nausea, and vomiting. In severe cases, there may be abdominal bloating and constipation. Additionally, there may be poor tongue coating, with some instances of glossitis and atrophy of the tongue papillae. Furthermore, there are manifestations related to mental and neurological aspects, such as poor memory and lack of concentration in children. Older children may experience symptoms like dizziness, headaches, and vertigo.

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Written by Li Fang Fang
Hematology
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How to check for anemia?

Anemia requires an initial routine blood test, which is a complete blood count. If it indicates a reduction in red blood cell count and a significant decrease in hemoglobin, it suggests anemia. Once anemia is indicated by the complete blood count, further tests are guided by the size of the red blood cell volume. If it is microcytic anemia, common types include iron deficiency anemia and anemia of chronic disease, and tests such as serum iron, ferritin, and tumor markers are needed. If it is normocytic anemia, a bone marrow biopsy is required to rule out aplastic anemia, multiple myeloma, etc. If it is macrocytic anemia, tests for folate and vitamin B12 are needed to exclude myelodysplastic syndrome and megaloblastic anemia, among others.

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Written by Li Fang Fang
Hematology
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Can anemia cause fever?

Patients with severe anemia may exhibit low-grade fever due to the severity of the anemia, where the fever generally does not exceed 38 degrees Celsius, mostly hovering around 37.5 degrees Celsius. Besides, if a patient with anemia develops high fever above 38 degrees Celsius, even reaching around 39 degrees Celsius, it is crucial to be vigilant about a possible secondary infection due to poor resistance from anemia. It is important to actively search for the source of infection, complete tests such as inflammatory markers, CT scans, and ultrasound imaging, and, once an infectious fever is suspected, to initiate aggressive anti-infection treatment.

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Written by Li Fang Fang
Hematology
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How is anemia treated?

For any type of anemia, if the anemia is severe, there is a need for active transfusion of red blood cells to correct the anemia. However, anemia can reoccur after transfusion of red blood cells, and it is not a long-term solution. Therefore, after correcting anemia with red blood cell transfusion, it is still necessary to diagnose the specific cause of the anemia and treat it accordingly. For example, patients with iron deficiency anemia need iron supplementation, those with megaloblastic anemia need to be supplemented with folic acid and vitamin B12, and patients with acute blood loss anemia need to find the source of bleeding and receive hemostatic treatment. Anemia caused by malignant hematological disorders like acute leukemia or myelodysplastic syndromes requires anti-tumor treatment.

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Written by Liu Wei Jie
Obstetrics
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The hazards of anemia in pregnant women

Firstly, the occurrence of anemia during pregnancy is very common, and most cases are mild anemia, but a small proportion can be severe. The harm of anemia comes from two aspects: one is that it is harmful to the fetus, as anemia during pregnancy can affect the intellectual development of the fetus, which is very clear. Another harm comes from the mother, such as the possibility of postpartum hemorrhage or infection. If a cesarean section is performed, our hemoglobin must not be lower than 80 grams. If it is below 80 grams, a blood transfusion or intraoperative blood preparation is needed.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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What should I do about adenomyosis-related anemia?

When suffering from adenomyosis, patients often experience an increase in menstrual flow. Prolonged heavy menstrual bleeding can lead to anemia. At this time, drug treatment should be initiated first. Some medications can be used to stop bleeding, and minimally invasive surgery or interventional treatment can also be considered to remove the affected areas of adenomyosis. In terms of diet, it is important to consume foods rich in protein that aid in blood replenishment. Additionally, an appropriate supplement of vitamin B and vitamin C is necessary, and it's crucial to actively work on blood replenishment to avoid risking the patient's health. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a professional doctor.)