What are the symptoms of iron deficiency anemia in children?

Written by Hu Qi Feng
Pediatrics
Updated on September 08, 2024
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Iron deficiency anemia can manifest as: 1. Gradual pallor of the skin and mucous membranes, especially noticeable on the lips, oral mucosa, and nail beds. Older children may experience dizziness, darkening before the eyes, and tinnitus. Additionally, anemia can lead to extramedullary hematopoiesis, and enlargement of the liver, spleen, and lymph nodes can occur. The younger the age and the longer the duration of the disease, the more severe the anemia and the more prominent the enlargement of the liver and spleen. 2. In terms of gastrointestinal tract: reduced appetite, pica, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomatitis may occur. 3. Nervous system manifestations include: restlessness or lethargy, lack of concentration, reduced memory, and intelligence often lower than peers of the same age. 4. Cardiovascular system: an increased heart rate may be observed, and in severe cases, cardiac enlargement and even heart failure can occur. 5. Immune system: Iron deficiency can affect hematopoietic function, often leading to reduced cell-mediated immune function and combined infections.

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Written by Zhang Xiao Le
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Does iron deficiency anemia cause a yellow complexion?

No matter what type of anemia, it manifests as a decrease in hemoglobin. Red blood cells are the main cells that carry oxygen, so patients with anemia will have signs of ischemia and hypoxia to some extent, and anemia manifests as pallor in the skin and mucous membranes. Since Chinese are of the yellow race, the manifestation of anemia in Chinese patients often appears as a yellowish complexion. Therefore, patients with iron deficiency anemia can have a yellowish complexion. Of course, if there is obvious yellowing of the skin and sclera in addition to the yellowish complexion, further tests such as hemolysis indicators are needed to rule out hemolytic anemia, as patients with hemolytic anemia often have concurrent jaundice.

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Written by He Li Fang
Hematology
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Symptoms of iron deficiency anemia

The clinical manifestations of iron deficiency anemia consist of symptoms due to the anemia itself, specific manifestations of iron deficiency, and the underlying diseases causing the iron deficiency. The onset of anemia is often insidious, with some patients progressing very slowly. Initially, patients can adapt well to daily life and continue with their work, making it difficult to detect. It is usually not until the anemia becomes moderate to severe and symptoms become apparent that it is discovered. Common symptoms of anemia include dizziness, headaches, weakness, easy fatigue, palpitations, and shortness of breath after activity. Some patients might also experience a decline in memory and suffer from tinnitus and blurred vision. Some affected children may exhibit delayed growth and development or even abnormal behaviors, which can manifest as irritability, restlessness, inattention in class, and declining academic performance. A few patients may develop pica, a specific manifestation of iron deficiency anemia. Additionally, some patients might suffer from angular cheilitis, glossitis, and even atrophy of the tongue papillae. Severe cases can experience transient blindness and fainting, hence it is crucial to seek medical attention for iron deficiency anemia at the earliest.

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Written by He Li Fang
Hematology
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Causes of Iron Deficiency Anemia

There are many reasons for iron deficiency anemia, which we can categorize into several aspects. The first aspect is a decrease in iron intake, including diet, meaning insufficient dietary intake. The second aspect is decreased absorption, such as the absence of a target organ for absorption or the lack of stomach acid affecting its absorption efficacy. The second aspect refers to excessive loss, most commonly chronic gastrointestinal bleeding, such as in patients with tumors, duodenal ulcers, gastric ulcers, gastritis, ulcerative colitis, a parasitic infection with hookworms, as well as hemorrhoids, and arteriovenous malformations, all of which can cause gastrointestinal bleeding leading to increased iron loss. Excessive menstrual flow in female patients, multiple blood donations, and multiple pregnancies can all lead to iron deficiency. These are the various causes related to iron deficiency.

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Written by He Li Fang
Hematology
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What are the symptoms of iron deficiency anemia?

Iron deficiency anemia is a type of anemia that exhibits common symptoms found in all anemia patients. It is characterized by a range of clinical symptoms caused by oxygen deficiency in tissue organs due to a lack of blood in the body. Common symptoms include dizziness, headaches, fatigue, shortness of breath and palpitations after activity, easy fatigability, difficulty concentrating, and decreased memory. Some patients may also experience blurred vision, ringing in the ears, and in severe cases, fainting, transient darkening of vision, and even arrhythmias. Because iron deficiency anemia is also accompanied by iron deficiency, it presents a range of clinical symptoms specific to iron deficiency, including pica, angular cheilitis, glossitis, unusual tongue conditions, decreased appetite, and even constipation among other symptoms.

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Written by He Li Fang
Hematology
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Diet for Iron Deficiency Anemia

Patients with iron-deficiency anemia need to undergo pharmacological treatment with oral or injective iron supplements. In addition, patient health education should be enhanced to guide them in following a scientific and reasonable diet. For example, patients who are picky eaters or have insufficient intake should change their dietary structure and lifestyle in order to increase iron intake and bioavailability. This ensures that all key nutrients involved in the production of red blood cells are sufficient. Moreover, it is necessary to increase the intake of iron-rich foods, mainly including animal liver, blood, as well as soybeans, black fungus, egg yolks, brown sugar, lean meat, sheep kidneys, dried fruits, and sesame paste.