Anemia in Children
Anemia is a deficiency in either the red blood cells or in the hemoglobin, which carries oxygen around the body. The majority of children thought to be anemic usually just have naturally pale complexions. The only reliable way for a doctor to diagnose anemia is to measure the amount of pigment hemoglobin in the patient’s blood. If anemia is present, however, it requires investigation, are has may causes. Among them is poor diet, failure to absorb an adequate diet, lead poisoning, iron deficiency, internal bleeding, or a disorder of the bone marrow that prevents production of the red blood cells.
An anemic child will be pale, listless, and easily fatigued, and may become breathless on exertion. Such symptoms require investigation by a doctor. The treatment of anemia depends upon the cause. Medicine containing iron, which is a constituent of hemoglobin, usually helps, but not all kind of anemia will respond to this treatment.