Question
Children aged between 6 months and 3 years (infants and toddlers) are prone to iron deficiency anemia, but it can occur at any age. Why are infants and toddlers susceptible to iron deficiency anemia?
Answer
The reasons for infants and toddlers being prone to iron deficiency anemia include: the iron obtained from the mother at birth is exhausted within 4 to 6 months after birth; the rapid growth demands; insufficient iron content in breast milk to meet the needs of infants; failure to introduce complementary foods rich in iron in a timely manner; insufficient iron reserves at birth for premature or low-birth-weight infants; and poor eating habits, insufficient iron intake, or a lack of iron in the diet. The main treatment for iron deficiency anemia is oral iron supplements, but prevention is even more important.