Question
A three-month-old baby has been diagnosed with physiological anemia, with a hemoglobin level of 8.7. Parents want to know the causes of physiological anemia and its potential effects on the baby’s growth.
Answer
Physiological anemia commonly occurs in infants between 2 and 3 months old, due to a decrease in erythropoietin after birth, leading to a reduction in red blood cell production. As the baby grows, weight gain is rapid, and blood volume expands, diluting the blood. With age, red blood cell and hemoglobin levels will gradually return to normal. Physiological anemia has no adverse effects on the baby’s growth. In addition to medication, parents can help improve the condition through diet, such as feeding the baby vegetables like celery, lean meat, and soy sauce rich in iron, while ensuring a balanced intake of nutrients.