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 Li Fang Fang
Hematology
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What indicators are used to diagnose iron deficiency anemia?

For iron deficiency anemia, a complete blood count should first be considered. The blood count presenting as microcytic hypochromic anemia often suggests the possibility of iron deficiency anemia. Microcytic hypochromic anemia is characterized by a decrease in hemoglobin, a decrease in mean corpuscular volume, a decrease in mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, and a decrease in mean corpuscular hemoglobin. When the complete blood count indicates the possibility of iron deficiency anemia, further investigation into iron-related indices is required, such as decreased serum iron, decreased ferritin, decreased transferrin saturation, and increased soluble transferrin receptor capacity.

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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 Hu Qi Feng
Pediatrics
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Symptoms of iron deficiency anemia in babies

Any age can develop the disease, but it is most commonly seen between six months and two years old, with a relatively slow onset. Generally, there is a gradual pallor of the skin and mucous membranes, most notably in the eyes, lips, oral mucosa, and nail beds. Affected children tend to be fatigued and less active, and older children may experience symptoms such as dizziness and darkening before the eyes. Physical examination may reveal enlargement of the liver, spleen, and lymph nodes; the more severe the anemia, the more pronounced the enlargement. Anemia can lead to a decreased appetite, and in some cases, pica, such as a craving to eat non-food items like soil or walls, may occur. Symptoms may also include vomiting, diarrhea, glossitis, and stomatitis. There is a general listlessness, lack of concentration, impaired memory, and intelligence that may be lower than peers of the same age. Iron deficiency anemia can also lead to decreased cellular immune function, making infections more likely.

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Written by Zhang Xiao Le
Hematology
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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 Li Guo Bao
Hematology
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Can iron deficiency anemia be cured?

Iron deficiency anemia is one of the most common types of anemia clinically. The principle of treating iron deficiency anemia involves etiological treatment and symptomatic treatment. Etiological treatment means treating according to different causes, while symptomatic treatment involves correcting anemia and supplementing the raw materials for blood formation. The most common causes of iron deficiency anemia include gastrointestinal bleeding, internal hemorrhoids bleeding, hookworm and roundworm infections, malnutrition, and, notably in women, excessive menstrual bleeding and excessive bleeding during pregnancy and childbirth. These are common causes of iron deficiency anemia seen clinically. With the cause of iron deficiency anemia identified, the treatment often has a relatively high cure rate.