Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA)
What is Iron Deficiency Anemia?
Anemia is a condition when there are too few red blood cells in the body. Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is one type of anemia where there is not enough iron in the blood.
The main job of red blood cells is to carry oxygen from your lungs to all the organs and tissues in your body. A red blood cell is full of a protein, called hemoglobin, which carries the oxygen. Iron is an essential part of hemoglobin. Iron is needed to help make hemoglobin and to help carry oxygen. When people lack a sufficient amount of iron, fewer red blood cells are made and each red cell has smaller amounts of hemoglobin. As a result, people who are iron deficient can become very anemic.
Signs and Symptoms
Many people with anemia do not have any symptoms. As the anemia becomes more severe, a person may experience some of the symptoms listed below:
- A feeling of weakness or fatigue
- Pale skin
- Headache
- Fingernail changes
- Cold hands and feet
- Fast heartbeat
- Unusual shortness of breath
- Possible affects on child development and academic performance
How is Iron Deficiency Anemia Diagnosed?
Anemia is diagnosed with a blood test. A doctor may also look for hidden blood in the stool.
What causes Iron Deficiency Anemia?
Low iron levels cause iron deficiency anemia. Low iron levels can be the result of the following:
- Diets low in iron: This is common in children who do not eat enough iron-rich foods and eat excessive amounts of junk food. In addition, people who follow "fad" diets can develop IDA. The idea that infants receive enough iron from regular milk is a common misconception. Infants need either iron-fortified formula or breast milk to receive necessary amounts of iron.
- Growth spurts: Children under age 3 grow so fast that their bodies have a difficult time keeping up with the amount of iron they need.
- Pregnancy: Women who are pregnant or who are breastfeeding require higher than normal levels of iron. Premature babies need more iron than other infants.
- Blood loss: Blood loss can be related to heavy periods or internal bleeding. A stomach ulcer, cancer and taking aspirin or similar medications for long periods of time can cause bleeding in the stomach or intestines.
Treatment for Iron Deficiency Anemia
Treatment for IDA depends on the cause of the anemia. For example, if an individual is anemic because their diet is low in iron, a doctor may recommend an iron rich diet or iron pills. If the anemia is a result of blood loss, the patient may need to receive a blood transfusion followed by iron pills. However, the doctor will need to locate the source of the bleeding and treat accordingly.
If the doctor recommends iron supplements, remember the following:
- Iron supplements can cause an upset stomach and may change the color of stool (black and tarry).
- To increase absorption, they should be taken on an empty stomach or with orange juice. However, iron supplements can irritate the stomach and then may need to be taken with food.
- Iron supplements can cause constipation; consequently a stool softener or laxative may also be prescribed.
If the doctor suggests an iron rich diet, it may look something like this:
Foods Rich in Iron
| Meat Sources | Serving Size | Iron (mg) |
|---|
| Clams, small | 9 | 24 |
| Tofu, firm and raw | ½ cup | 13 |
| Pistachio | 1 cup | 8.7 |
| Oysters | 3 ounces | 5.7 |
| Pinto Beans | 1 cup | 4.5 |
| Kidney Beans | 1 cup | 3.2 |
| Garbanzo/Chickpea | 1 cup | 3.2 |
| Beef | 3 ounces | 2.3 |
| Almonds | 1 ounce | 1.0 |
| Chicken | 3 ounces | 0.9 |
| Egg 9 | 1 whole | 0.6 |
| Fruits and Vegetables | Serving Size | Iron (mg) |
|---|
| Peaches, dried | 10 halves | 5.3 |
| Prunes, dried | 10 | 2.1 |
| Raisins | 2/3 cup | 2.1 |
| Avocado | 1 medium | 2.0 |
| Tomato Juice | 6 oz | 1.1 |
| Broccoli | ½ cup | 0.7 |
| Green Beans | ½ cup | 0.6 |
| Grain Products | Serving Size | Iron (mg) |
|---|
| Total Cereal, General Mills | ¾ cup | 18 |
| Cream of Wheat | ¾ cup | 9.1 |
| Cheerios Cereal, General Mills | 1 cup | 8.1 |
| Spaghetti | 1 cup | 2.0 |
| Bread, whole wheat | 1 piece | 1.3 |
Recommended Daily Iron Intake
* American Academy of Pediatrics, Pediatric Nutrition Handbook, Fifth Edition, 2004.
| 0-12 months | 2 - 4 mg per kg per day |
| 1-2 years old | 7 mg per day |
| 3-8 years old | 10 mg per day |
| 9-13 years old | 8 mg per day |
| 14-18 year old males | 11 mg per day |
| 14-18 year old females | 15 mg per day |
Ways to promote better iron absorption:
- Have at least one iron rich food with each meal
- Take the iron supplement with 2 oz of a vitamin C-rich juice like orange or tomato
- Prepare meals which contain iron from animal sources as well as from plant sources
- Avoid drinking tea and coffee with meals rich in iron because components in these beverages can decrease iron absorption
- Use antacids sparingly
Other Considerations
- Cow's milk and fruit juice are poor sources of iron and may displace iron-rich foods
- Your doctor may recommend no milk for 2 – 3 months, otherwise drink no more than 8 oz of milk and 8 oz of fruit juice daily
- Consume 2 – 3 servings of dairy for adequate calcium like cheese and yogurt
- If your doctor recommends it, drink 1 – 2 cans of PediaSure" (or an equivalent) daily because it contains iron and calcium
Contact Us
For additional information on this or any Health Topic, please call the Family Resource Center, 513-636-7606, or your pediatrician.
Revised 6/06, 3/07
