A growing child’s body is urgently required iron for the full development and good health. Unfortunately, recently an increasing number of kids are experiencing a shortage of it. Iron preparations for children help eliminate this problem and make up for the deficiency of an important trace element.
How is iron deficiency manifested?
Anemia develops with a decrease in the number of red blood cells in the blood. These red blood cells are responsible for delivering oxygen throughout the body. It binds to a special protein - hemoglobin. Hypoxia is more susceptible to pregnant women, children of different ages, and people living near industrial enterprises.
Typical signs of iron deficiency anemia are:
- Pallor of the skin.
- Cardiopalmus.
- Shortness of breath after minor physical exertion.
- Change in taste preferences (like chalk, clay).
- Frequent headaches.
- Peeling skin.
- Poor weight gain in children.
- Frequent colds.
- Tearfulness.
- Jams in the corners of the mouth.
- Lack of appetite.
If the first symptoms of anemia are identified, it is necessary to seek the help of a doctor, pass laboratory tests and begin treatment with iron preparations that will correspond to the age category. Particular attention is paid to anemic conditions in children. The disease can lead to serious consequences.
What affects the development of iron deficiency in children?
Anemia can occur even in newborn babies. The reason for this may be the pathology of the placenta during gestation and a lack of trace elements in the body of the expectant mother. There are also a number of factors that create favorable conditions for the development of iron deficiency:
- Multiple pregnancy.
- Premature birth.
- Violation of the absorption of iron in the intestine (caused by gastrointestinal diseases).
- Bleeding during pregnancy.
- Early bandaging of the umbilical cord.
- A large mass of the baby at birth.
- Artificial feeding.
- Lack of iron in the nutrition of a nursing mother.
A full-term baby has enough micronutrient reserves for 6 months, after which it is necessary to introduce products with its content into the diet. The benefits of mother's milk are priceless, but it can only make up the lack of iron in a growing baby’s body for the first time. Feeding should be balanced and introduced on the recommendation of a doctor.
If an anemia is detected during the examination, the pediatrician will select the necessary iron preparations for children and adjust the nutrition.
When is it necessary to take iron-containing products?
First of all, it is necessary to conduct laboratory tests of blood serum. The results of the analysis will indicate the number of red blood cells, a color indicator and the level of hemoglobin. Referral to laboratory diagnostics can be obtained from a pediatrician. After the examination, it is necessary to find out the true cause of the iron deficiency state. Treatment begins with their elimination. Additional biochemical blood tests may be prescribed.
In childhood, the norms of test indicators are different and depend on the age of the child. For example, a newborn’s hemoglobin level is much higher than an adult’s and amounts to 140–225 g / l (3 days after birth). By the end of 2 months, indicators are reduced to 140 g / l. At the age of 1 year, 100–140 g / l is considered the norm.
Up to 5 years, the child’s body is most susceptible to a trace element deficiency, and if the level of hemoglobin in the blood drops below 110 g / l - this is considered anemia and the use of iron preparations will be justified. Digestion from drugs is more effective than from consumed products (although previously it was believed that it was enough to just follow a diet). A positive result of drug therapy is possible only with adjusting the diet and daily regimen (full sleep, walking in the fresh air, a relaxed family environment).
The choice of iron-containing drugs
It is forbidden to prescribe medications containing a trace element to the child on his own. Even the best iron supplements can cause an allergic reaction and numerous side effects. Only a doctor can choose a medicine and calculate an individual treatment regimen, making a diagnosis and determining the degree of the disease. Repeated blood tests will be required to check the results of therapy, which usually lasts for several months.
Depending on the age of the patient, the optimal form of medication is selected. Syrups, suspensions and drops ("Totem", "Ferrum Lek", "Maltofer", "Actiferrin") are intended for infants and up to 3 years. For older children, it is better to use drugs in the form of tablets:
- "Ferropleks" (allowed from 3 years).
- Maltofer (tablets are allowed from 7 years old).
- "Actiferrin" (capsules from 7 years).
- "Tardiferon" (tablets from 6 years).
- “Hemofer Prolongatum” (delayed-action tablets, dosage is calculated according to the patient’s weight).
- "Heferol" (from 12 years old).
When choosing a remedy for a child, it is necessary to pay attention to safety, bioavailability, pleasant taste (especially important for children of a younger age group), tolerance of the incoming components of the medication. Properly selected iron medications will bring the desired effect and increase hemoglobin levels already at the end of the first month of administration.
Tardiferon: Description
The drug "Tardiferon" is a French development and is available in tablet form. The main active ingredient is iron sulfate, which is better absorbed than the trivalent group. Ascorbic acid in the composition promotes absorption. An auxiliary component is also mucoprotease, prolonging the therapeutic effect of the drug "Tardiferon". The price in pharmacies ranges from 220 to 260 rubles. per pack (30 tablets).
The drug is taken during the treatment and prevention of iron deficiency anemia caused by pregnancy, bleeding, poor nutrition, gastrointestinal diseases. Allowed to use during lactation.
Dosage for children over 6 years of age g / l - ½-1 tablet per day, adolescents from 10 years old and adults - 1-2 tablets before meals. The effectiveness of the drug is confirmed by studies, and the patient's condition improves already in the second week of therapy. The duration of treatment is determined strictly by the doctor and can be 3-6 months.
Application features
Contraindications to the use of antianemic drugs are individual intolerance to the constituent components, internal bleeding, esophageal stenosis, impaired glucose absorption, elevated levels of iron in the blood, ulcerative pathology, age up to 6 years. In any case, before using Tardiferon, a specialist consultation is necessary. Side effects that are usually caused by iron preparations are possible. Customer reviews indicate that there may be a violation in the intestines (diarrhea, constipation), abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting.
Actiferrin or Totem: which is better for children?
Many parents are faced with the problem of iron deficiency in the body of their growing babies. Studying the available information about all kinds of drugs for the treatment of this kind of anemia (or, as the people say, anemia), they are faced with a difficult choice. After all, you need the drug to be both effective and safe. Doctors strongly recommend that children do not make their own appointments, so as not to aggravate the situation and to get tested first.
Popular iron preparations for children are Totem and Actiferrin. Both remedies are antianemic. The active component in the composition is ferrous iron of various forms: gluconate and sulfate. This form is well suited to the children's body.
Actiferrin (price 290-350 rubles) is available in various forms: capsules, syrup and drops. This advantage plays an important role in the selection of funds for the child. The syrup tastes good and will appeal to children over 2 years old, and it is convenient for newborns to give the drug in the form of drops. An auxiliary substance - serine - is necessary for better absorption of a trace element in the body.
The drug "Totem", the use of which is allowed from the first day of the baby's life (dosage is calculated by weight), is complex and contains copper and zinc. The release form is glass ampoules, which is not very convenient in treating a child. The drug is effective, which is confirmed by numerous positive reviews.
It should be borne in mind that if you take iron in liquid form, your teeth will stain for a while. Therefore, if a child can drink through a straw, it is better to use this method of taking medication.
Ferronal: instructions for use
The preparation “Ferronal” is produced by Germany in the form of tablets and syrup for children. Iron gluconate in the composition helps to eliminate the microelement deficiency in the body and improves the supply of oxygen to cells.
Like other iron-based medications, Ferronal has contraindications, which include individual intolerance to the active substance, anemia not associated with iron deficiency, hepatitis, renal and hepatic insufficiency, and alcoholism.
It is convenient to give the product in liquid form to children - there is a measuring cup in the package for the exact dosage of the medicine. Ferronal is well tolerated by newborns. A child up to a year must be given 5 ml of solution per day. 4-6 tablets are used by adults when treatment is needed. Recently, the drug is practically unavailable in many pharmacies, so it is replaced with the same means of ferrous iron. Pediatricians prefer to prescribe "Actiferrin" and "Tardiferon", the price of which is almost the same.
Heferol: price, contraindications and side effects
The iron-containing preparation Heferol from Macedonia is produced in capsule form. Ferrofumarate is the main active ingredient and is well absorbed by the stomach. The medicine effectively copes with its task and improves the nutrition of cells with oxygen, increases hemoglobin in the blood. The capsule promotes rapid entry into the stomach and prevents the iron from staining tooth enamel.
The antianemic agent "Kheferol" (price about 360 rubles), according to the instructions, is not prescribed for children under 12 years of age. Contraindications to use will also be:
- Hemochromatosis.
- Lactase deficiency.
- Megaloblastic anemia.
- Lead Anemia
- Bowel diseases (obstruction, diverticulum, Crohn's disease).
- Alcoholism.
- Chronic hemolysis.
Treatment with the drug can only begin as prescribed by the doctor. Children from 12 years old and adults as a therapy should take 1-2 capsules per day for half an hour before eating. The duration of the course is 1.5–3 months (depending on the degree of anemia). To consolidate the result, Heferol is drunk for several months.
According to the annotation, the drug can cause various side effects: vomiting, toothache, diarrhea, anaphylactic shock (with an overdose), lethargy, lowering blood pressure, headache, etc.
The consequences of iron deficiency anemia in children
Any disease can lead to serious health problems, especially when it comes to the baby. The lack of iron in the child's body is primarily a developmental lag. To prevent this, even during pregnancy, a woman is obliged to monitor the state of her health and, if necessary, use iron preparations. In infancy, as prescribed by the pediatrician, the child should receive the missing trace element in the form of medicines.
Lack of iron affects the development of children - they may lose those skills that they already have. Many mothers notice that babies often get sick, their appetite decreases, they quickly get tired during walks and constantly want to sleep. So the effects of low hemoglobin are manifested. In more severe stages, problems begin with the nervous and endocrine system, digestive tract.
Rules for taking iron preparations
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid), which is already found in some medicines, helps to strengthen the effect of drugs. Also, the medicine can be washed down with juice, water. Depending on the group of funds, the reception may be before or after a meal. Iron preparations for children are allowed to be used during feeding, starting with the minimum dose, to avoid allergies, but in this case absorption in the intestines will be worse.
Treatment with medicines with iron begins only as prescribed by the doctor. An excess of this trace element, as well as a shortage, can lead to serious consequences. An overdose, especially for children, is especially acute. The specialist will select the remedy individually, taking into account the patient’s history, and calculate the daily dose.
Despite the fact that ferrous iron is better absorbed through the intestines, such drugs cause a large number of side effects. A new generation of drugs with prolonged action or trivalent ferrum can minimize the undesirable consequences of antianemic therapy. Advertised iron preparations, the prices of which are reasonably affordable for a wide range of people, may not always be suitable for use in pediatrics.
Drug Interactions
Medicines with iron give a positive result only with proper use. This applies not only to dependence on food intake, but also to parallel therapy with other drugs. Calcium, magnesium, tetracycline and penicillin antibiotics, antacids reduce iron absorption through the walls of the stomach. Therefore, it is better to refrain from taking them for the duration of treatment with antianemic drugs.
Vitamins of B, A, E and some trace elements and amino acids will help strengthen the therapeutic effect. For complex therapy and a positive result, you must follow a special diet.
Prevention of iron deficiency in children
It is quite possible to prevent iron deficiency anemia in a child if the parents fully fulfill their duty and monitor the state of the baby’s health, seek medical help on time. Breasts need to be fed timely in order for the right amount of iron to enter the body for full development and growth. If hemoglobin values are below the minimum value for the corresponding age, pediatricians prescribe drugs, for example, drops or syrup “Actiferrin”. The price depends on the form of release of the drug.
Of the products, preference should be given to beef, turkey, liver, fish, buckwheat, lentils, spinach, and legumes. For better absorption of iron, children are given juices from fruits rich in vitamin C. It should be borne in mind that heme iron is better absorbed by the intestines. But this does not mean that the child should eat only meat or fish!
Premature babies will need more iron (2 mg per 1 kg of body weight per day). Therefore, medications can be prescribed immediately after birth. It is important at this time to establish and maintain breastfeeding. Breast milk contains a whole complex of vitamins and microelements that allow a small body to grow stronger.
With the growth of the child, you need to review his diet and add new foods rich in trace elements to him. To control the level of hemoglobin, it is necessary to take a blood test in a timely manner.