About this topic
Your body needs iron for many functions. It is a mineral and you can find it in every cell of your body. Your body uses iron to make blood cells. The blood cells then carry oxygen to all parts of our body. Anemia is when the body does not have enough red blood cells. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do to care for your child. ‚
Feeling tired is a sign of this health problem. Your child may need to rest or sleep more often. It may take some time until your childs iron level returns to normal. ‚
What follow-up care is needed?
The doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your childs progress. Be sure to keep these visits. Your child will need to have blood tests to see how well the treatment is working. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Replace the iron in your childs body. These are iron supplements.
- Help your child's body absorb iron. This is vitamin C.
Will physical activity be limited?
No, but your child should rest if feeling weak or tired. ‚
What changes to diet are needed?
Give your child food that is rich in iron. If you have a baby, give breast milk or baby formula with iron. For a child who is eating solid foods, some of the best sources of iron include: ‚
- Meats and proteins like: Eggs (especially egg yolks), liver, lean red meat (especially beef), oysters, clams, poultry, salmon, tuna, tofu
- Breads and grains like: Iron-fortified breads and cereals, whole grains
- Fruits like: Dried fruits such as prunes, raisins, and apricots; prune juice
- Vegetables like: Spinach and other dark green leafy vegetables; dried beans; white, red, and baked beans; soybeans; peas; lentils; chickpeas
Your child should also eat foods rich in vitamin C such as: ‚
- Fruits like: Oranges, tangerines, kiwi, strawberries, cantaloupe
- Vegetables like: Broccoli, peppers, tomatoes, cabbage, potatoes
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Make sure your child is eating foods rich in iron each day. Also, make sure your child is getting vitamin C to help the body take up iron.
- Ask if your child should take an iron supplement.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Blood in the stool. Blood may be bright red, dark red, or be mixed in with the stool making it look like black tar.
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or your child is feeling worse
Helpful tips
- Give your child lots of water. Avoid giving coffee, tea, or soda.
- Do not give cows milk to your child if your child is under 1 year of age.
- Do not give more drugs than ordered. Large amounts of iron can be harmful. Give your child extra iron only as ordered by your doctor.
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you about your child. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my childs condition.
- I can tell you what changes I need to make with my child's diet or drugs.
- I can tell you what I will do if there is blood in my child's stool or if the stool is black or tarry looking.
Where can I learn more?
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute ‚
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/ida/ ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚