What Are the Symptoms of Iron Deficiency in Babies?

Many women look forward to the birth of their child during pregnancy, but they often find that caring for a newborn is much more challenging than pregnancy itself. After birth, proper feeding is crucial as nutritional imbalances can lead to various issues. One common concern is iron deficiency in babies. What are the symptoms of iron deficiency in infants? Let's explore this topic in detail.

1. Lack of Smiles: Iron in hemoglobin carries oxygen and removes carbon dioxide from the body. Iron deficiency in infants can lead to oxygen deficiency in tissue cells, resulting in decreased activity, lack of smiles, fatigue, and loss of appetite.

2. Blue Sclera: Iron is an essential cofactor for collagen synthesis. When iron levels are low, collagen synthesis is disrupted, leading to a weakened sclera. This can cause the underlying pigmented layer to appear blue.

3. Apnea: In rare cases, some infants may experience sudden weakening of their cries, followed by apnea, facial cyanosis, loss of consciousness, opisthotonus, urinary incontinence, and seizures. These symptoms usually resolve within 1-3 minutes.

4. Intellectual Disability: Iron deficiency can reduce the activity of enzymes crucial for brain metabolism. Iron affects the perceptual motor functions of the left hemisphere of the brain, and its electrophysiological activities can impact an infant's intelligence and language development. Iron deficiency in infants can lead to irritability, anxiety, and disruptive behavior.

1. Extend Breastfeeding: Breast milk is rich in iron and is easily absorbed by babies compared to iron-fortified formula milk or iron-fortified cereals.

2. Limit Milk Consumption: Milk contains very low levels of iron. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid giving milk to babies before age 1. Even for toddlers, milk consumption should be limited to no more than 710 milliliters per day as milk can stimulate the intestine and cause iron loss, exacerbating iron deficiency symptoms.

3. Use Iron-Fortified Formula: If your baby is formula-fed, it is advisable to start with iron-fortified formula and continue for at least a year or until the baby has alternative sources of iron-rich foods.

4. Increase Vitamin C Intake: Some foods can promote iron absorption, while others can inhibit it. Breastfed babies should avoid eating solid foods immediately before or after breastfeeding, as it can interfere with iron absorption. Foods rich in vitamin C, such as fruits, juices, and vegetables, can enhance iron absorption.