Anemia in children: 6 causes, risk factors, and treatment
Childhood anemia is one of the most significant global health challenges facing both pediatric and family medicine. This condition is not merely a deficiency in blood components; it poses a real obstacle to a child's normal growth and cognitive development. Global statistics from international health organizations indicate that anemia affects a large percentage of children under five years of age, particularly in developing countries, making it a public health issue that requires early intervention and ongoing awareness campaigns.
General context and health importance
Historically, anemia was linked to malnutrition and poor living conditions, but with advancements in medicine, multiple types with genetic and immunological causes have been identified. The danger of anemia lies in its direct impact on the blood's ability to transport oxygen via hemoglobin to the body's tissues and brain. This oxygen deficiency can lead to academic difficulties, poor concentration, and reduced physical activity, negatively affecting a child's future and long-term productivity. This underscores the importance of early detection and effective treatment.
What is anemia and how does it occur?
Anemia occurs when the number of red blood cells or the hemoglobin level falls below normal. Hemoglobin is the protein responsible for carrying oxygen, so a deficiency deprives the body's organs of the fuel they need to function properly. The condition may be temporary, resulting from nutritional deficiencies, or chronic, linked to genetic or autoimmune diseases.
Common types of anemia in children
- Iron deficiency anemia: This is the most common type worldwide, and it results from an insufficient supply of iron needed to produce hemoglobin.
- Megaloblastic anemia: characterized by the presence of large, ineffective red blood cells, and is often caused by a deficiency of vitamin B12 or folic acid.
- Hemolytic anemia: This occurs as a result of the breakdown of red blood cells before the end of their lifespan due to infection, medications, or immune-related causes.
- Genetic types: such as sickle cell anemia and thalassemia, where the body produces abnormally shaped or functional blood cells.
- Aplastic anemia: a rare and serious condition in which the bone marrow stops producing blood cells.
Causes of the disease and risk factors
There are many causes of anemia, the most prominent being malnutrition and deficiencies in essential elements such as iron and vitamins. Genetic diseases, bleeding, chronic infections, and some types of cancer also play a role. Among the most significant medically identified risk factors are:
- Premature birth (premature): where the baby is born before its iron stores are fully developed.
- Low birth weight.
- Premature cutting of the umbilical cord: This deprives the baby of an additional supply of iron-rich blood at birth.
Symptoms and warning signs
Parents should pay attention to the following symptoms, which may indicate that the child has anemia:
- Noticeable paleness of the skin, lips, and inner eyelids.
- A constant feeling of tiredness, exhaustion, and low energy.
- Rapid heartbeat and shortness of breath.
- Dizziness and frequent headaches.
- Delayed physical and mental development.
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes) occurs in cases of hemolysis.
Diagnosis, treatment, and prevention
Diagnosis relies on clinical examination and laboratory blood tests such as a complete blood count (CBC), hemoglobin level test, and blood smear. Treatment depends on the underlying cause; iron deficiency is treated with supplements and dietary modifications, while inherited or severe cases may require blood transfusions, splenectomy, or stem cell transplantation.
For prevention, doctors advise focusing on a healthy diet rich in iron (meat, eggs, leafy green vegetables), and avoiding giving cow's milk to children before the age of one year because it hinders iron absorption and does not provide the necessary amounts, with the necessity of regular follow-up with a pediatrician.
