JAKARTA - Anemia in children is one of the health problems that often escapes attention, even though this condition can affect overall growth and development.
Lack of iron as the most common cause of anemia can have an impact on concentration, brain function, and children's learning skills in the future.
Because the symptoms are often unclear, many parents only realize this condition when their children show developmental disorders.
Pediatrician graduated from Gadjah Mada University, dr. Devie Kristen, Sp.A said there are a number of symptoms of Anemia Iron Deficiency (ADB) that parents often don't realize and can affect their child's nerve and brain development.
"The anomaly of iron deficiency is not just a problem of lack of blood. This condition has a direct impact on the development of nerves and the brain," said Devie as quoted by ANTARA.
The doctor who practices at Bethesda Hospital in Yogyakarta explained that signs of anemia in children generally appear from the skin that is more pale, tired easily, looks lethargic, or becomes less active than usual.
In addition, several other symptoms such as weight is difficult to increase, slower growth, decreased appetite, and the emergence of the habit of consuming non-food objects such as soil or ice cubes (pica) also needs to be a concern.
This condition can arise due to various factors, ranging from low eating patterns of iron, non-optimal iron absorption, to loss of blood due to long-term infections.
Certain groups of children have a higher risk of experiencing ADB, such as premature babies, children whose mothers suffer from anemia during pregnancy, and children who consume MPASI with low iron content.
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Lifestyle factors play a role. Children who often consume tea, coffee, or chocolate can experience barriers to iron absorption, while vitamin C-rich foods and iron-forified growth milk are known to increase their absorption.
Citing a study, Devie reminded that children affected by ADB are at risk of having cognitive scores, psychomotor abilities, and lower concentrations than children with sufficient iron levels. This certainly affects their learning readiness and academic performance in the long term.
Therefore, he emphasized the importance of doing prevention early on by regularly monitoring the adequacy of iron through screening and ensuring that children get iron-rich nutrients in their daily menu.
Prevention can also be done by combining iron source foods with high vitamin C fruit or vegetables such as oranges, strawberries, or tomatoes to help absorb nutrients. In children with high risk, iron supplements can be given according to the advice of health workers.
Another recommended step is to limit the consumption of tea, coffee, or chocolate along with meal times, ensure that children's nutritional needs are met, and conduct regular consultations with doctors to monitor the development of children's health.
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