According to the World Health Organization (WHO), as of 2011, an approximate 300 million children across the world suffered from anemia, a condition in which your blood lacks adequate red blood cells (RBCs) or hemoglobin, the protein that helps RBCs carry oxygen to different parts of the body. The most common cause of anemia is believed to be iron deficiency 1. In India and other developing countries, iron deficiency has fast become a growing public health concern. It has been estimated that most pre-school children suffer from iron deficiency. 2
Iron is an essential mineral for all tissues within a child's developing body. During childhood, when the human body is undergoing tremendous growth and development, the body's requirement for iron is high. This puts children in a high-risk group for developing iron deficiency should their iron needs go unmet. 3 Given the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia and widespread consumption of iron-deficient diets, iron supplementation has been recommended in children < 5 years. 4
So, what is oral iron supplementation?
In addition to the iron-rich food that we should consume, the dietary gap in iron can be made up for by routine iron supplementation. The iron in your body is called 'elemental iron' and oral iron supplements contain varying amounts of elemental iron. Oral iron supplements are available in different types such as capsules, tablets, drops, powders, and extended release tablets. 5
Benefits of iron supplementation
Conclusion
Children are especially at a risk of developing iron deficiency and thus potentially, iron deficiency anaemia. Most children today do not consume the required amount of iron through their diet. Thus, in addition to having a healthy meal, most children below the age of 5 years have been recommended iron supplementation. There is still a tremendous gap inawareness which is reflected in that fact that poor compliance to iron supplementation is a prime contributor to the high prevalence of anemia. 7 Making the correct choice of iron supplement is crucial to aiding in compliance. There are a variety of iron supplements available today, but make sure you pick a tasty alternative that your child just can't say no to.
Reference
1 Daily iron supplementation in children 24-59 months of age. (2019, February 11). Retrieved from https://www.who.int/elena/titles/iron-children-24to59/en/
2 Ozdemir N. Iron deficiency anemia from diagnosis to treatment in children. Turk Pediatri Ars. 2015 Mar 1;50(1):11-9.
3 Domellof M, Braegger C, Campoy C, Colomb V, Decsi T, Fewtrell M, Hojsak I, Mihatsch W, Molgaard C, Shamir R, Turck D, van Goudoever J; ESPGHAN Committee on Nutrition.Iron requirements of infants and toddlers. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2014 Jan;58(1):119-29.
4 Iannotti LL, Tielsch JM, Black MM, Black RE. Iron supplementation in early childhood: health benefits and risks.
5 Iron & Oral Supplements. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/14568-oral-iron-supplementation
6 Barhum, L. (2019, May 04). The Health Benefits of Iron. Retrieved from https://www.verywellhealth.com/iron-supplements-benefits-4178814
7 Bairwa, M., Ahamed, F., Sinha, S., Yadav, K., Kant, S., &Pandav, C. (2017). Directly observed iron supplementation for control of iron deficiency anemia. Indian Journal of Public Health, 61(1), 37-42. doi:10.4103/0019-557x.200250