{"id":3087,"date":"2021-01-28T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-01-28T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sideral.it\/emoglobina-bassa-nei-bambini\/"},"modified":"2021-02-26T08:27:09","modified_gmt":"2021-02-26T08:27:09","slug":"low-haemoglobin-in-children-lets-learn-how-to-recognise-it-and-keep-normal-values-under-control","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sideral.it\/en\/low-haemoglobin-in-children-lets-learn-how-to-recognise-it-and-keep-normal-values-under-control\/","title":{"rendered":"Low haemoglobin in children: let’s learn how to recognise it and keep normal values under control"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What do we mean when we talk about low haemoglobin in children<\/strong>? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Haemoglobin is a protein present in red blood cells which binds molecular oxygen and transports it to tissues throughout the body. Let’s find out what is meant by low haemoglobin<\/strong> and what to do to maintain normal physiological levels.<\/strong>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Low haemoglobin and low iron<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Haemoglobin is a globular protein <\/strong>consisting of four polypeptide chains bound to a haem group, a chemical complex containing an iron ion (Fe2+<\/sup>). It is present in erythrocytes (red blood cells) and carries out two essential tasks for the body: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. it binds molecular oxygen to transport it from the lungs to the tissues;<\/li>
  2. it binds carbon dioxide to transport it from the body’s peripheral tissues to the lungs, where it is released.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Given that iron is a key component of the structure of haemoglobin, low iron<\/strong> values, which indicate an iron deficiency<\/a><\/strong>, are often related to low haemoglobin values.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    What are normal haemoglobin values in children?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Whilst normal haemoglobin (Hb) values<\/strong> in adults are between 12 and 15.5 g\/dL (grams per decilitre) for women<\/a><\/strong> and between 13.4 and 17.5 g\/dL for men<\/strong>, <\/strong>in children<\/strong>, the average values vary depending on age and gender. In general, the minimum value does not fall below 10 g\/dL.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The average haemoglobin values in children <\/strong>are as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Birth:<\/strong> average 16.5 g\/dL<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    First month:<\/strong> average 14.0 g\/dL<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    2 months:<\/strong> average 11.5 g\/dL<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    3-6 months:<\/strong> average 11.5 g\/dL<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    From 6 months to 2 years:<\/strong> average 12.0 g\/dL<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    2-6 years:<\/strong> average 12.5 g\/dL<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    6-12 years:<\/strong> average 13.5 g\/dL<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    12-18 year old women:<\/strong> average 14.0 g\/dL<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    12-18 years men:<\/strong> average 14.5 g\/dL<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    When the values are lower than normal, a low haemoglobin<\/a> <\/strong>condition exists.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Low haemoglobin in children: what should we do?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    If laboratory tests show a moderate condition of low haemoglobin<\/strong> in a child<\/strong>, the paediatrician will assess the most suitable therapy to bring the values back to normal. The paediatrician will try to investigate the causes that led to a lowering of haemoglobin values in the blood and will act to mitigate them if it concerns sideropenic anaemia <\/strong>(iron deficiency anaemia). The therapy could include a diet with iron-rich foods<\/a><\/strong> or iron supplementation with food <\/strong>supplements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Low haemoglobin in children: causes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Low haemoglobin values can occur in children and adolescents<\/strong> when:<\/p>\n\n\n\n