Anemia In Children: 7 Warning Signs

Anemia in children is a serious situation that requires early diagnosis. It is important to identify symptoms early in order to avoid complications.

Anemia in children is one of the health problems which arouse the most interest in public health because of the serious consequences it can have on the development of the child. This health problem affects almost 50% of preschool children, namely children aged between 6 and 24 months.

Anemia is a drop in hemoglobin level. Hemoglobin is responsible for carrying oxygen inside red blood cells. Therefore, a drop in hemoblogin levels results in a drop in the oxygen supply to the organs. There are many studies on the subject. These studies have looked at the main reason behind this alteration as well as the most recommended tools to combat this health problem.

For some exceptional situations, such as pregnancy, the drop in hemoblogin level is not considered abnormal. But anyway, whenever information seems to indicate anemia, it is necessary to consult a specialist who will be able to interpret all the values.

There are different types of anemia depending on the cause of this health problem:

• Reduced production of red blood cells:  the bone marrow is responsible for producing red blood cells. For this, she needs iron, folate and vitamin E
• The destruction of red blood cells:  the medical term is “hemolysis”. Hemolysis is the elimination of red blood cells faster than normal
• A loss of iron:  in the event of bleeding, it is common to notice a loss of iron. Iron deficiency can also be linked to diet

In the rest of this article, find out what are the seven warning signs that may indicate anemia in children.

1. Fatigue, one of the first symptoms of anemia in children

The term used in medicine for this symptom is “asthenia”. Faced with the presence of this symptom, one should consult a pediatric specialist so that he can determine the possible cause via a necessary physical examination.

Fatigue is difficult to determine, even more so in a child. This symptom must be extreme to be considered as such. In children, you should observe poorer physical performance and a continued desire to rest.

2. Irritability

This symptom usually accompanies that of fatigue, and just like fatigue, it is difficult to identify it correctly, as the causes of irritability can be many.

Irritability may simply be related to the development of the child, for example.

3. Anorexia, a symptom that may indicate anemia in children

Another important symptom that can indicate anemia in children is loss of appetite. However, anorexia can appear occasionally because of an infection or it is then linked to a concrete situation such as problems at school.

It is recommended to monitor the evolution of the child and to check the duration of this state. If the condition persists over time, consult a specialist.

4. Pagophagy or pica

This is a rather strange symptom that can appear in a child who has anemia. Pagophagia refers to a need to consume non-food products, more specifically frozen products.

Parents or guardians of the child should monitor this behavioral alteration and seek urgent medical attention, as this behavior can lead to possible poisoning.

5. Pallor or jaundice of the skin or mucous membranes

A change in skin color indicates a decrease in the amount of red blood cells in the blood. If these changes occur sporadically and the recovery is rapid, then we are dealing with an acute case that can resolve itself.

On the other hand, if this change persists for several days, it is strongly recommended to consult a pediatrician.

6. Tachycardia, a symptom that may indicate anemia in children

A high heart rate or a feeling of palpitations are common warning signs in a child with anemia. A high heart rate can cause nausea in the child, chest pain, or difficult breathing.

When this case frequently occurs in a child, a pediatrician should be consulted. Anemia is not the only cause behind these red flags.

7. Hair loss and brittle nails

Falling hair or fragile nails are among the symptoms of anemia in children.

Hair loss is not always an easy symptom to identify in a child: depending on the age, the hair can be very thin.

In short, there are many symptoms that may indicate anemia in children. We must be attentive to all these symptoms in order to detect the problem in time and thus avoid complications.

If you have any doubts, consult a pediatrician.