The child is 5 years old. He hardly eats meat and fish. Hence the low hemoglobin. What should be done?
- First of all, it is necessary to confirm the cause, take a blood test – a general one and for ferritin levels, - says hematologist Natalia BOBKOVA. – The reasons for low hemoglobin can vary. Do not try to force-feed the child. It doesn’t work and only creates negative associations. Unfortunately, even if he suddenly agrees to eat buckwheat and apples by the kilogram, the iron from there will be hardly absorbed.
Parents often have the fear: is it harmful to give the child iron supplements? If they are prescribed based on indications and in the correct dosage, no. This is standard and safe therapy. Without it, iron stores will not be replenished, and anemia will only progress.
At the same time, it is necessary to try to change the diet.
Sometimes life hacks help: adding meat to the puree that the child loves; giving meat patties cooked without a lot of spices; using turkey or rabbit – they have a more neutral taste; mixing meat with vegetables in soups and cream soups.
But even an ideal diet will not replace supplements if the ferritin level is already low. One should not expect that “the iron will grow by itself.” Its deficiency in children affects not only hemoglobin but also attention, memory, activity, and even immunity. Therefore, the sooner the deficiency is replenished, the better the child will feel and develop.
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