Iron deficiencies and children: advice for children and adolescents
An adequate daily intake of iron is essential from childhood. Iron, in fact, is a very important nutrient for
the normal physical and cognitive development of boys and girls. INCREASED IRON CONSUMPTION IN CHILDREN
During childhood and adolescence, our body uses iron to facilitate cognitive development and to support energy metabolism, as well as to facilitate the normal formation of red blood cells and haemoglobin. The immune system, which, during childhood and adolescence, is gradually becoming stronger, also needs iron for its normal functioning. It may happen, therefore, that the first years of life are characterised by an increased body demand for iron compared with what our body needs during adulthood.
IRON INTAKE IN CHILDREN STARTS WITH DIET
Children are often a little difficult when it comes to diet. However, it is important to set a
healthy and balanced diet from an early age, which guarantees an adequate supply of all the nutrients necessary for the body’s physical and cognitive growth and development. Even during
adolescence, it is important to maintain a varied and balanced diet to provide the growing body with the correct amount of iron daily. In the case of
girls, there are certain physiological conditions, such as a
heavy menstrual cycle that can cause
iron deficiency and, in the most extreme and prolonged cases,
low serum iron and
low haemoglobin.
IRON FOR CHILDREN: WHEN A SUPPLEMENT IS NECESSARY
Under normal health conditions, a varied and balanced diet is sufficient to provide the body with the right amount of iron daily. In some cases, however, there might be a
deficiency or increased need for iron related to specific physiological (menstrual cycle) or pathological conditions (bleeding, malabsorption related to
specific diseases). The use of a
food supplement, together with a balanced diet, may be useful in case of iron deficiency or increased needs. The
SiderAL® range of food supplements is designed to
supplement iron in case of deficiency or increased needs for this nutrient.
Want to know more?
Read the latest tips on
iron and children: