{"id":3364,"date":"2021-05-05T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-05-05T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sideral.it\/ferro-per-bambini\/"},"modified":"2021-05-05T08:14:49","modified_gmt":"2021-05-05T08:14:49","slug":"iron-for-children-when-is-it-needed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sideral.it\/en\/iron-for-children-when-is-it-needed\/","title":{"rendered":"Iron for children: when is it needed?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Iron is an essential nutrient at all ages, but it plays a fundamental role especially during childhood and adolescence as it supports the growth and psychophysical development of children.<\/strong> Therefore, at this stage of life, it may be necessary to keep the daily iron intake under control. Let’s discover the importance of iron for children and adolescents<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iron for children: from what age? <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Iron<\/strong> is very important for the growth and normal physical and cognitive development of children and adolescents<\/strong>. In addition, iron plays a role in the normal development of the immune system<\/strong> and in the production of haemoglobin<\/strong> and myoglobin<\/strong>, proteins that facilitate the transport of oxygen in blood and muscle tissue. Iron is also present in enzymes that regulate certain important metabolic functions of the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The importance of iron from foetal development to adolescence<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Iron is an essential nutrient for the child’s body, even before birth. Except for major iron deficiencies in the mother<\/a><\/strong>, during pregnancy<\/strong>, the foetus absorbs iron through the placenta and begins to accumulate iron reserves that will be particularly useful during the first six months after birth. In the first months after birth, in fact, the only other source of iron is breast milk<\/strong> or artificial milk<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At this stage of the child’s life, however, growth is rapid and requires more iron daily than will be needed in adulthood. The prepubertal phase<\/strong> andadolescence<\/strong> may also require an increased need for iron<\/strong>, which can be met with a varied and balanced diet and, when necessary, with specific nutritional supplements. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why is iron sometimes deficient in children?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Given that growth leads to an increased need for iron, it is not uncommon to find an iron deficiency in children<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The main causes of<\/strong> iron deficiency in children and adolescents<\/strong> are as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n