Children Lack Of Iron, This Asupan Must Be Optimized By Parents For Your Little One

Illustration of eggs, iron-rich intake (Unsplash)

JAKARTA - Pediatrician, dr. Melia Yunita, MSc, SpA said, the fact shows that 1 in 3 Indonesian children is at risk of iron deficiency, because they do not consume foods rich in iron. Even a survey also shows that 50% of mothers do not know that the lack of iron can have an impact on children's intelligence.

"In the first 5 years of child's life, child's brain development occurs significantly, so it is important to ensure complete nutritional intake to support children's cognitive abilities, including iron micronutrients," said doctor dr. Melia at the launch of the Iron Substance Calculator which is integrated into the Alfagift application which took place at Alfamart MH Thamrin, Tangerang recently.

In addition to being very instrumental in the formation of hemoglobin (red blood cells), the body's immune system, building muscle growth, iron is also needed to optimize connections between nerve cells and the formation of neurotransmitters that support the ability and learning process of children.

"Unfortunately, there are still many parents who do not realize the important role of fulfilling the intake of iron, and even tend to ignore the symptoms of iron deficiency which if left unchecked will have an impact on decreasing focus/concentration and memory, more passively due to tired or sluggish symptoms, behavioral disorders, socio-emotional, motor development and also more susceptible to illness, so that later it is feared that it can affect children's cognitive abilities and achievements," he added.

Furthermore, dr. Melia added, so that the intake of iron can be fulfilled optimally, parents can provide complete and balanced nutritional intake that is rich in iron, especially animal protein (iron heme) such as red meat, chicken liver, eggs, fish or from plant-based sources (non-heme iron quantities) such as nuts and spinach.

"If it is needed to fulfill iron apart from daily foods in accordance with the recommendations of health workers, it can be equipped with growth milk that is fortified by a combination of Iron and Vitamin C to optimize iron absorption. In addition to the application of iron-rich diets, parents are also important for early identification of iron-less risk factors regularly in children by consulting pediatricians to optimize early prevention of child iron deficiency problems," he explained.