Private MD News

Group recommends increasing iron intake for children

Category: Anemia and RBC disorders

Many children continue to receive blood iron test results indicating that they have a deficiency, despite the fact that the problem can be addressed relatively easily. In order to remedy the situation, the American Academy of Pediatrics recently revised its recommendation for consumption levels among young people.

The recommendations increased the most for infants between 6 and 12 months of age. The academy now says that these children need to consume 11 mg of iron per day. This may help them avoid the damaging and sometimes permanent complications that often arise from iron deficiency.

"Iron deficiency remains common in the United States," said Frank Greer, who co-authored the report. "And now we know more about the long-term, irreversible effects it can have on children's cognitive and behavioral development. It's critical to children's health that we improve their iron status starting in infancy."

The report stated that providing children with iron-rich food as early as possible and giving them nutritional supplements may help prevent deficiencies and the complications the problem entails.