Symptoms of baby anemia

Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
Updated on September 25, 2024
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The earliest symptoms of anemia in infants might include dizziness, fatigue, and tiredness. The most common and notable sign is a pale complexion. The severity of the symptoms depends on the speed and degree of anemia, as well as the body's compensatory abilities. Other possible symptoms include tinnitus, headache, insomnia, frequent dreaming, memory decline, and lack of concentration. Additionally, there can be shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, palpitations, and some might experience digestive issues such as bloating and reduced appetite, among other manifestations.

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Written by Yue Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Causes of Anemia in Late Pregnancy

Anemia can be categorized into several different types, each caused by different reasons. Iron-deficiency anemia occurs in late pregnancy when the intake or absorption of iron by pregnant women is insufficient. Megaloblastic anemia is caused by a deficiency of folate or vitamin B12 in the patient's body. Additionally, there is thalassemia, which is caused by a genetic deficiency in the patient, leading to anemia in the fetus as well. Another type is aplastic anemia, which is caused by abnormal bone marrow hematopoietic function leading to anemia.

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Which department should I go to for anemia?

Anemia is classified as a hematological disease and requires further diagnosis and treatment in the department of hematology. In severe cases of anemia, the body can be in a state of ischemia and hypoxia, which can induce the occurrence of acute cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, such as acute angina and cerebral thrombosis. Therefore, patients with acute anemia need to have red blood cell transfusions to support treatment and correct the anemia. If the anemia is not severe, red blood cell transfusion is not necessary, but it is important to complete tests like anemia indicators, bone marrow aspiration, and bone marrow biopsy to further clarify the cause of the anemia and treat it accordingly.

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Written by Gong Hui
Pediatrics
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How to supplement baby's anemia?

The treatment for childhood anemia primarily focuses on addressing the underlying cause. Nutritional anemia is the most common type of anemia in children, which includes iron-deficiency anemia and megaloblastic anemia. For iron-deficiency anemia, the main treatment is iron supplementation. This can be done through dietary means, such as increasing the intake of foods high in iron like pork liver and egg yolks. Additionally, treatment should address any underlying causes of iron deficiency. For instance, if parasitic infections are causing blood loss, then treating the parasitic infection is necessary. If the anemia is due to poor dietary habits or picky eating, then changing these habits is crucial. If general treatments are ineffective, then oral iron supplements should be considered. In the case of megaloblastic anemia, it is important to address the vitamin deficiencies that cause it, namely the lack of folate and vitamin B12. Supplementation of folate and vitamin B12 is recommended.

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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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What to eat for postpartum anemia

In general, if anemia occurs postpartum, it is recommended to undergo further examination to understand the specific causes of postpartum anemia, and then to treat the condition accordingly. If iron deficiency anemia occurs postpartum, it is necessary to promptly supplement iron to correct the anemia symptomatically. If the anemia is due to a lack of certain vitamins leading to megaloblastic anemia, it still requires specific oral medication treatment based on the underlying cause. During the treatment process, it is also necessary to closely monitor the specific recovery from anemia after taking oral medications. If anemia persists without relief, further examinations are needed to exclude the possibility of blood system diseases causing the anemia. (Medication use should be carried out under the guidance of a professional doctor.)