Common deficiency among children. Pediatrician told what can't be ignored
Why iron deficiency occurs in children (photo: Freepik)
Iron deficiency is one of the most common health problems among children around the world. The lack of this element can lead to anemia and even a decrease in mental activity. Ukrainian pediatrician Daria Vlasenko tells how to recognize the problem in time and prevent its consequences.
What is ferritin
Ferritin is a protein that stores iron in the body. It is the main indicator of iron stores, and low levels may indicate a hidden iron deficiency or even anemia.
The body stores additional iron in the form of ferritin for further use, which is usually concentrated in the liver and cells of the immune system
Iron-containing medications should be used to correct anemia, but only as prescribed by a doctor.
When the body uses iron, cells release small amounts of ferritin into the bloodstream. Because of this, ferritin levels reflect the amount of iron stored in the body.
If your doctor has ordered a ferritin test, the main goal is to determine if you have a normal amount of iron in your body.
Symptoms of iron deficiency
The main symptoms of iron deficiency include
- fatigue and weakness
- developmental delays
- changes in appetite
- dizziness
- chronic headaches
- pain in the legs
- shortness of breath
- ringing in the ears
- irritability
When the pica condition occurs
Pica is a condition in which a person wants to consume substances with low nutritional value, such as clay, soil, chalk, and paper. When a person has low iron levels, they may also crave ice or other non-nutritive substances.
However, researchers do not fully understand why this happens.
In children, a serum ferritin level of
If the level is 15 mcg/L, this may indicate iron deficiency, even if hemoglobin is still normal. It is also believed that the norm of ferritin should be equal to body weight.
Restless legs syndrome with low iron levels
People with low iron levels can develop restless legs syndrome (RLS). Symptoms usually appear at night - an irresistible urge to move your legs.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
