The risk of deficiency of iron in young children is not zero in our developed countries. The period following the end of lactation is the most sensitive because baby goes from a milk containing iron highly absorbable another containing iron significantly less bioavailability. Better to choose wisely the milk away and watch for signs of fatigue, and anorexia.
Iron and anemia
In the body, iron is found in different forms. Overall, there are the iron home that is present in hemoglobin, and ferritin, which is the iron reserve. If the deficiencies in vitamins and minerals are now very rare in developed countries, iron deficiency is one of the few that still persist. It mainly concerns infants less than three months. The effects of iron deficiency are substantial and result in anemia, which results in inadequate production of hemoglobin and tissue oxygenation, which ends up sounding on psychomotor performance.
Iron deficiency: fatigue, anorexia and weakness
But before reaching this stage, there are also deficiencies in iron that can be described as lighter and do not result in an anemia marked. Only the stock ferritin is decreased. This state is reflected by this time a decrease in physical abilities of young children, a great tiredness and anorexia. Psychomotor development and intellectual performance slows down.
Such a deficiency ferritin may result in behavioral problems: child fearful, irritable, restless sleep. It is also suspected of iron deficiency to intervene in hyperactivity. But children who do not have an iron levels are sufficiently weakened, they are more vulnerable to infection, including intestinal and ENT, which is affecting their growth.
Such a deficiency ferritin may result in behavioral problems: child fearful, irritable, restless sleep. It is also suspected of iron deficiency to intervene in hyperactivity. But children who do not have an iron levels are sufficiently weakened, they are more vulnerable to infection, including intestinal and ENT, which is affecting their growth.
The absorption of dietary iron
In fact, toddlers have very high needs in iron, about eight times larger than those of adults. At birth, they have sufficient stock for the first six months of life. But then, the dietary intake is essential. But the iron content in foods comes in different forms, making its availability varies. In other words, it is more or less absorbed, used by the body. So do not necessarily rely on theoretical levels in iron foods (milk, milk on, cow's milk, beef, liver, spinach, etc.). You should know that the iron content in breast milk is better absorbed with a bioavailability of 50-70%. By comparison, the bioavailability of iron in cow's milk is 5 to 10%, 30% for meat and offal and less than 5% for vegetables.
Furthermore, bioavailability varies greatly with the cooking and the presence of other compounds. Some of the decrease (oxalates, tannins, phosphates, phytates?), others increase as vitamin C, citric acid or lactic acid. Finally, note that the amount of iron absorbed from vegetables and grains increases when these foods are eaten together with meat or fish or other foods rich in vitamin C.
In conclusion, we must ensure that baby benefits from iron supplementation and adequate consideration of the degree of iron absorption based on food, rather than theoretical content. But this attention is still needed to stop breastfeeding. Indeed, the transition period where you spend on milk or cow's milk, is at great risk of iron deficiency on infant. It should choose a guaranteed content of milk in highly absorbable iron.
