Iron Deficiency Anaemia in Children

Question 1

What % of children in the UK have iron deficiency anaemia?

Answer 1

10%

Question 2

What ethnicities is it higher in?

Answer 2

• Asian
• Afro-Carribbean
• Chinese

Question 3

What are the causes of iron deficiency anaemia in children?

Answer 3

• Socioeconomic - iron supplemented milk formulas may be more expensive
• Unmodified cow’s milk - a poor source of iron due to it being in a form that is not absorbed well, therefore should be introduced after 1 year of age.
• Ethnic origin - e.g. Asian mothers may introduce solids later

Question 4

How can we prevent it?

Answer 4

• Supplementary iron in milk
• Dietary education
• Free formulas for at risk infants

Question 5

Even though iron is low in breast milk, why is it still a good source?

Answer 5

Iron is in a form that is easily absorbable.