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Iron is an important mineral which is part of red blood cells which carry oxygen from the lungs to the body. Even though it has an important role for the body, there will be negative impacts when children experience excess iron.
Launching from the Kids Health page, iron gives hemoglobin the strength to bind oxygen in the blood, so that oxygen gets to where it is needed. Without enough iron, the body cannot make hemoglobin and produces fewer red blood cells.
Children's iron needs vary depending on their age. Babies who are still breastfeeding tend to get enough iron from their mothers until the age of 4-6 months.
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Babies aged 7-12 months need around 11 mg of iron per day. Toddlers aged 1-3 years need 7 mg of iron per day, while children aged 4-8 years need 10 mg of iron per day.
Know the advantages of iron in babies
If you are familiar with the condition of iron deficiency or iron deficiency in babies, there is also the condition of excess iron or what is often called hereditary hemochromatosis.
Hereditary hemochromatosis is a disease that causes the body to absorb and store more iron than it should. This iron generally comes from the food consumed by your little one.
With hereditary hemochromatosis, iron will slowly accumulate in joints and organs such as the liver, heart, brain, pancreas and lungs. If not treated properly, this condition will cause various complications that threaten the child's health and growth and development.
Characteristics of iron excess babies
Children usually do not show signs of hereditary hemochromatosis. It takes years for excess iron that accumulates in the body to cause symptoms.
Even so, some of the characteristics that may be seen in some cases are as follows:
Swollen liver Stomach ache Weak body Change in skin color to gray, brown, or bronze Edema or swelling due to fluid buildup in the body Enlarged heart Heart failure Certain lung inflammation or siderosis
Causes of iron overload in babies
Hereditary hemochromatosis is a condition caused by genetic factors, Mother. Children who experience this condition have parents who also have the same condition.
Even so, many children who inherit the gene from their parents do not experience any problems. They may absorb and store extra iron, but do not cause health problems.
Complications of iron overload
If not treated properly, hereditary hemochromatosis will certainly cause problems with the child's health. Still looking at the same page, children may experience hepatitis A and hepatitis B conditions.
Both of these diseases are diseases that can damage the liver. When the liver is damaged, the body is unable to manage iron properly, causing excess iron in the liver and worsening the damage.
Apart from that, hereditary hemochromatosis can also cause other serious illnesses, Mother. Such as liver disease, diabetes, heart disease, joint pain, extreme fatigue, and other problems as the child grows.
Diagnosis of iron overload
To diagnose a child with hereditary hemochromatosis, there are several things a doctor may recommend. Namely as follows:
1. Blood test
Blood tests can help doctors find out whether your child has hereditary hemochromatosis, Mother. These tests will measure how much iron is contained in your little one's blood.
2. Other tests
Apart from blood tests, there are also other tests that doctors use to determine a child's iron condition. Sometimes, doctors require special tests to see how much iron is in the liver and how well the liver is working for the body.
How to overcome iron overload baby
It is very rare for children with hereditary hemochromatosis to require treatment, Mother. If treated, a doctor may recommend phlebotomy. This is the process of removing some blood from the body on a regular basis to lower iron levels.
To remove blood, a health worker will insert a needle into a vein in the arm. The process is the same as when you want to donate blood, Mother.
The amount of blood expelled and the time at which the blood is expelled also vary. Both depend on the patient's condition.
Not only that, when your child has hereditary hemochromatosis, there are several things you can do. Here's the list:
1. Avoid foods that contain iron
Talk to your pediatrician or dietitian about foods that contain iron, Mother. After getting the row, you also need to avoid giving this type of food.
2. Limit vitamin C
Vitamin C makes the body absorb more iron, Mother. Therefore, make sure the vitamin C supplement your child consumes is less than 100 mg per day.
3. Use iron-free vitamins
If your child takes a multivitamin, make sure the multivitamin is free of iron. Consult a doctor so that your little one gets vitamins according to his condition.
That's the information about the characteristics of a baby with excess iron, Mother. Hopefully it can provide benefits, OK?
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(mua)