Today I would like to inform you about iron supplementation in children under 1 year of age. It is a practice that between 2 - 4 months of life, in health centers, iron is given as a supplement to all infants.
It used to be something recommended to everyone, to prevent the risk of iron deficiency anemia (Iron Deficiency Anemia).
Currently, this practice generally applied to all infants is not recommended. There are advances that indicate that it is only necessary in certain special situations.
On the other hand, tell them that iron supplements, like any other medication, can cause adverse effects, the most common being abdominal pain, constipation, vomiting and increased colic.
For this reason, and as it is a frequent query, I come to clarify in what circumstances it is indicated preventively;
To all premature newborns, except those fed with adequately fortified formula milk (minimum requirement of 12 mg/liter of iron).
*This is because iron reserves in premature children are insufficient since the last transfer of maternal blood that protects a full-term newborn from anemia for the first 6 months has not been completed.
2 . Infants fed with milk formulas insufficient in iron intake.
*A minimum of 7 mg/liter of iron is required in formula milk to ensure the indicated iron intake to prevent anemia.
3. Infants fed cow's milk before 12 months.
*In the case of children where cow's milk is introduced before one year of age, the risk of anemia is greater since intestinal bleeding occurs, which reduces iron absorption.
4. Infants with risk factors for iron deficiency anemia, other than those expressed above:
Newborn with low weight for gestational age
Multiple gestation
Severe maternal iron deficiency during pregnancy
Uteroplacental hemorrhage
Neonatal hemorrhage or multiple blood draws
Exclusive breastfeeding beyond 6 months (that is, complementary feeding does not begin after 6 months). Remember that prevention is always better than cure, but it must be administered judiciously like any medication. Do not forget that a respected birth where the umbilical cord is cut late, provides the child with the necessary reserves to be free of iron deficiency anemia for at least the first 6 months of life. Let us always defend breastfeeding, which is the best food for a child with the best bioavailability of iron and many other benefits. I hope this information is useful to you, I read your comments. Dr. Maria Florencia Blanchet
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