How to feed a child to raise hemoglobin. How to increase hemoglobin in a child: basic methods

Red blood cells are red blood cells that perform vital functions: they transport oxygen to tissues and remove carbon dioxide from the body. Other formed elements are platelets and lymphocytes. Red blood cells are made up of hemoglobin, a peptide compound that binds to oxides.

blood cells

Hemoglobin is an important indicator of a general clinical blood test. The quantitative content of this peptide compound in the bloodstream is already determined in newborns. Any changes in the values ​​of this indicator may indicate serious pathological processes in various organs.

What is hemoglobin?

Hemoglobin, as mentioned above, is an iron-containing peptide compound that transports oxides in the human body. This protein gives the characteristic color of blood due to the presence of "heme" in its composition. Depending on the type of iron-containing protein, the color of the blood also differs.

Hemoglobin has three forms:

  • Oxyhemoglobin;
  • Carboxyhemoglobin;
  • Deoxyhemoglobin.

Oxyhemoglobin transports oxygen to the necessary areas of the body. It gives arterial blood a bright scarlet color. The second type of iron-containing protein (carboxyhemoglobin) promotes the removal of carbon dioxide and other carbon oxides. Deoxyhemoglobin is reduced hemoglobin that circulates in free form in the bloodstream.


Iron peptide

In newborns, hemoglobin begins to be synthesized by the bone marrow at an early stage of development. It is very different from the iron-containing protein found in the adult human body. Such hemoglobin is called "fetal". In the process of ontogenesis, this peptide compound is replaced by ordinary hemoglobin. Therefore, a one-year-old child already has an “adult” iron-containing protein.

At the initial stages of ontogenesis, the norm of hemoglobin in the bloodstream of a child is variable. This indicator needs constant monitoring, because deviations can lead to serious consequences.

Read also: , symptoms of abnormalities

How to diagnose the cause of anemia, and what should be done before donating blood?

It is worth noting that anemia is not an independent disorder, but a sign indicating the presence of pathological processes in the child's body. The concentration of hemoglobin is measured in conjunction with other indicators of the general clinical blood test. The amount of iron-containing protein is measured in g / l. Before donating biological material, a number of recommendations must be followed.

The material is taken on an empty stomach and in the morning. After breastfeeding, the level of iron-containing protein may drop, so it is necessary not to feed the baby. Psycho-emotional stress or excessive physical activity also significantly distorts the results of a blood test.

Important! Additional tests may be needed to determine the exact cause of the decrease in iron-containing protein. You should not engage in self-diagnosis or self-treatment, this will only aggravate the condition of the child.

What is the normal level of hemoglobin in the blood serum of a child?

In newborns, iron-containing protein reaches a peak concentration in the first days of life and is 170-230 grams per liter. This is due to the fact that children have a certain depot of iron, which was formed in the process of intrauterine development. In premature babies, the level of iron-containing protein in the blood is sharply reduced and amounts to 140-210 grams per liter. These children need special supervision and have an increased risk of developing anemia later in life.


Healthy child

In the process of developing an infant, the hemoglobin level gradually decreases to optimal values ​​- 140-190 grams per liter. In a year old child, the concentration of hemoglobin reaches a minimum and is 105-120 grams per liter.

Normal indicators of hemoglobin concentration in children of different age categories in g / l:

  • Up to two years - 105-135;
  • A three-year-old child has 110-130;
  • Up to 5 years - 105-130;
  • Up to 10 years - 110-130;
  • Up to 15 years - 120-160;

From the age of 15, the concentration of iron-containing protein stabilizes and amounts to 110-150 grams per liter. With age, this figure increases. It is necessary to constantly monitor the level of this protein in the blood to prevent the development of life-threatening conditions.

Why low hemoglobin in a child?

There are many reasons that can cause anemia in children of different ages. During childbirth, the baby may lose a significant amount of blood due to premature cutting of the umbilical cord or placental abruption. In premature babies, due to underdeveloped bone marrow, red blood cells can be rapidly destroyed in the spleen by the action of enzymes.

Some diseases lead to accelerated breakdown of iron-containing protein (for example, hemolytic disorders). List of common diseases that cause anemia:

  • spherocytosis;
  • Intrauterine infection; rubella, herpes, syphilis;
  • Haemorrhoids;
  • Pathology of the bone marrow;
  • Hypertrophy of the spleen;
  • Liver diseases.

In some cases, anemia is asymptomatic, but there are characteristic signs that indicate anemia. Cold extremities, pallor of the skin (especially in summer), bluish color of the nasolabial triangle, severe sweating - all these are manifestations indicating anemia.

In any case, additional examinations will be needed to clarify the diagnosis, however, with such “terrible” symptoms, it is necessary to urgently consult a doctor. He will be able to prescribe appropriate treatment and suggest how to increase hemoglobin in a child.

How to raise hemoglobin in an infant?

Depending on why the child has low hemoglobin, the subsequent treatment also depends. If there is a deficiency of iron-containing protein due to blood loss, a blood transfusion procedure may be required. With the accelerated breakdown of red blood cells, infants need to receive a large amount of donor blood. This procedure allows you to eliminate damaged red cells and replace them with healthy ones.

Many mothers are wondering how to increase hemoglobin in a child? In the early stages of pregnancy, it is recommended to consume a lot of iron-containing foods. The use of iron supplements is a good preventive measure that reduces the risk of developing anemia. Young mothers need to eat more meat, which contains heme iron.


Source of heme iron

Important! Vitamin C improves the absorption of iron in the human body, so its use in the first trimester of pregnancy is a necessary preventive measure for anemia.

How to raise hemoglobin in a child at home?

Some plant foods contain non-heme iron. It is poorly absorbed by the body. In addition, plant foods contain a large amount of oxalates, which interfere with the normal absorption of iron. The diet should include products of both animal and vegetable origin. In some pathological conditions that are not corrected by dietary modifications, iron preparations (ferlatum or maltofer, for example) are indicated.

The lack of folic acid and vitamin B12 is one of the common causes of vitamin deficiency anemia. Young mothers are advised to consume a sufficient amount of flour, meat (beef, chicken, turkey) and dairy (milk, yogurt, cheese) products in order to provide the baby with all the nutrients when feeding.


Table of foods containing B vitamins

What foods increase hemoglobin in children?

As mentioned above, dietary modifications (recipes) can help increase the amount of total iron-containing protein in the bloodstream. Many people wonder how to increase hemoglobin in a child with food, and is it possible? Indeed, some foods can raise iron-containing peptide in the blood.

Products that increase hemoglobin in children:

  • Meat (pork, beef, chicken);
  • flour or dairy products;
  • Legumes;
  • Fresh vegetables and fruits;
  • Seafood;
  • Cereals and seeds.

It is worth noting that in some cases, dietary modifications do not help. If a low level of iron-containing protein is observed, for example, in an allergic person, then it is necessary to apply a different treatment tactic.

How to raise hemoglobin in a child with folk remedies and medicines?

In severe forms of anemia, drugs are prescribed (in the form of drops, syrups, tablets) that stimulate erythropoiesis (the formation of new red blood cells). Medicines in this case are taken for a long time - from one month to several years. The current doctor of the highest category, Yevgeny Komarovsky, in his videos recommends refraining from excessive prescribing of drugs to children. Many of them can temporarily increase hemoglobin, but then it can drop sharply in the blood.

In very severe conditions, methods of transplantation of red bone marrow cells or partial removal of a hypertrophied spleen are indicated. As a rule, during these procedures, hemoglobin will rise and remain stable.

You will need:

Symptoms

Already in appearance, you can determine the lack of this protein:

  • lethargy;
  • fatigue;
  • drowsiness;
  • dizziness;
  • poor growth of hair and nails, their fragility, loss;
  • the appearance of cracks in the corners of the mouth;
  • dark circles under the eyes;
  • lack of appetite;
  • disturbed emotional tone.

A child up to a year also has: dry skin, drying of the mucous membrane, stomatitis and thrush, and impaired stool. The baby does not raise his head in a timely manner, later he begins to roll over and crawl.

If anemia is not detected in time, it can lead to mental illness, as the brain experiences prolonged oxygen starvation.

The norm of hemoglobin in children

You will need to do a complete blood count. Try to periodically monitor your results and check back monthly.

Adopt the generally accepted standards for the level of hemoglobin in the blood:

  • Up to 2 weeks - 135-200 g / l.
  • From 2 weeks to 1 month - 115-180.
  • 1-2 months - 90-130.
  • 2-6 months - 95-140.
  • 6-12 months - 105-140.
  • From 1 to 5 - 110-140.
  • From 5 to 10 - 115-145.
  • From 10 to 12 - 120-150.

After 12 years, the norm for girls and boys is different. So, for the former, it is in the range of 112-152 up to 15 years and 115-153 up to 18 years. The guys have 120-160 and 117-160, respectively.
In infants under the age of 6 months, a decrease in hemoglobin is often observed. This is due to the fact that the iron received during fetal development was used up, and the intake of a new portion is possible only with breast milk or mixtures. Therefore, mom should eat more foods containing iron. Mixtures, of course, must also be balanced.

Treatment

Identified anemia requires urgent action. The pediatrician is obliged to establish its cause and prescribe the correct treatment. Often you can get by with a correction of the diet, but in difficult cases this will not be enough.

Drug treatment consists of taking long-acting or short-acting iron-containing preparations.

Children are prescribed oral medications - their effect occurs a few days later than after injections, but has practically no side effects.

Injections are allowed only in exceptional cases, with serious bowel diseases.

The course of taking the drugs lasts 3 months. It cannot be interrupted even after the elimination of iron deficiency. Thus, the replenishment of microelement reserves occurs, which prevents the re-development of anemia.

Medicines for children are safe, well tolerated, available in a convenient form for all ages, and taste good. It can be drops, syrup, chewable tablets. A noticeable result from the treatment occurs within a month.

If there is no effect, it is possible that the dose was chosen incorrectly or an erroneous diagnosis was made.

In no case do not self-medicate! Exceeding the dosage can lead to complications, including vomiting, dermatitis, and allergies. Many parents try to cure anemia with hematogen alone, forgetting that this is just a food supplement, not a drug.

Nutrition

In addition to the prescribed medications, you need to introduce a balanced diet. Iron is better absorbed from animal products, while they improve its absorption from plant foods when consumed at the same time. If the baby does not like meat or fish, give him ascorbic acid, which also promotes the absorption of iron from fruits, vegetables and cereals.

It is best to start with porridge for breakfast. Will benefit, oatmeal,. And after dinner, you can give food rich in calcium and vitamins.

Be sure to include in your daily diet:

  • veal;
  • beef;
  • rabbit meat;
  • turkey;
  • white meat chicken;
  • beef tongue;
  • liver, kidneys, heart;
  • yolk;
  • any fish;
  • black caviar.

From these products you can cook any boiled and baked dishes, meatballs, pates. For children under 2 years old, they are added in grated form to cereals and vegetables.

From herbal products we recommend:

  • mushrooms, primarily dry (but they should not be given to children under 6 years old);
  • jacket-boiled and baked potatoes;
  • carrot;
  • beets;
  • pumpkin;
  • cauliflower, broccoli;
  • tomatoes;
  • peas, beans, lentils;
  • seaweed;
  • greenery.

Important in the diet of the child are fruits, berries and juices.

Kiwi, peach, apricots, pears, plums, pomegranates, apples, persimmons, quince, bananas, black currants, rosehips, raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, cranberries, gooseberries, cherries are excellent and tasty sources of iron.


In addition, you can purchase a juicer and then you will definitely win a double win! Pomegranate, beetroot and carrot juice can significantly increase hemoglobin in children. You can also cook compotes, fruit drinks, kissels, both from fresh fruits and dried ones.

Lure

At about 5-6 months, children are introduced to complementary foods, which helps to raise hemoglobin. And a small organism will be able to synthesize it on its own only by a year after the launch of important biochemical processes.

You should start with fruit puree, vegetables and buckwheat porridge. The first meat is prepared from chicken, turkey or beef. Gradually introduce cottage cheese, yolk, milk porridge, vegetable and butter. Fish puree is given from 8 months, as well as milk, dairy products and bread.

Dried fruit compote, rosehip decoction and pomegranate juice diluted 1 to 1 will help increase hemoglobin in a child up to a year old.

Folk recipes

Option 1:

  • Walnuts 1 tbsp.
  • Uncooked buckwheat 1 st.
  • Honey 1 tbsp.

Grind everything with a blender, mix and feed the baby with the resulting mixture, 1 tbsp. spoon a day.

Option 2:

  • Dried apricots one part
  • walnuts one part
  • honey one part
  • raisins one part

Blend and mix everything together. The mixture is used 1 time per day for 1 tbsp. spoon. In addition, get not only a good portion of iron, but also additional macronutrients and vitamins.

Option 3:

  • Rosehip one piece
  • honey spoon one piece
  • Lemon juice one part

Take 2 hours before meals.

Option 4:

  • cabbage 1 part
  • Beetroot 1 part
  • dandelion leaves 1 part
  • bell pepper 1 part
  • Greens 1 part

Eat cooked vegetable salad for breakfast.

Option 5:

  • Grated apple 1 pc.
  • Honey 1 tsp

Give your baby at night before bed.

Do not forget that excessive iron intake, and the resulting excess hemoglobin, is also a problem. So eat everything in moderation so you don't have to!

Prevention

It is possible to prevent the development of anemia in children even at the stage of pregnancy. Expectant mothers should take drugs and vitamins enriched with iron.

Breastfeeding is desirable to keep as long as possible. At the same time, the mother should eat rationally. Children on artificial feeding after 2 months are introduced with adapted mixtures. In the period from 6 months to a year and a half, they need to take iron supplements (as prescribed by a doctor).

Complementary foods should be introduced on time and correctly, be sure to include products to increase hemoglobin.

Do not forget about walking in the fresh air and airing the room before going to bed.

A decrease in the level of hemoglobin in the blood leads to the development of anemia or anemia. Most often, it appears with lethargy, pallor of the skin, weakness, constant feeling of fatigue, loss of efficiency, decreased emotional tone, shortness of breath, palpitations at the slightest exertion, lack of appetite, and digestive disorders.

Iron deficiency negatively affects the appearance of a person. The skin and their appendages (nails and hair) react to the imbalance with increased fragility of the strands and nail plates, their delamination, excessive dryness of the epidermis, a bluish tint to the lips, the appearance of rashes, etc.

If these symptoms occur, you should immediately consult a doctor who, after collecting anamnesis and blood tests, will prescribe adequate therapy. In some cases, it is impossible to do without the use of iron-containing preparations and vitamin-mineral complexes. Also, the doctor will definitely suggest adjusting the diet and enriching the menu with products containing the maximum doses of iron.

According to the medical standards established by WHO, the average daily intake of iron from food is:

  • in men - from 10 to 15 mg;
  • in women - from 15 to 20 mg;
  • in pregnant women and breastfeeding - at least 30 mg.

When, after conducting laboratory blood tests, it turns out that the level of hemoglobin in a person is below normal, then the correction of the diet will be a mandatory recommendation of the doctor. According to nutritionists, certain foods can increase hemoglobin in the blood without the use of medications.

In order to correctly compose a diet menu for anemia, it is necessary to assess how many nutrients that increase the level of hemoglobin and the degree of absorption of iron from food are in the products present on our table.

What foods increase hemoglobin? Let's figure it out together, and for ease and convenience, we will list the products in the form of a table.

Products that increase hemoglobin in the blood (table)

Products that increase hemoglobin (table) and contain the maximum amount of iron - a list of products of animal and vegetable origin.

Name of animal products
Skim milk cheese35-37
Boiled clams: rapana, shrimps, squid, mussels, crabs, crayfish, oysters, etc.26-31
Hard cheeses18-19
Veal and beef liver9-11
Egg yolk: chicken, duck, goose, perpel6-9
Offal: heart, beef tongue, lungs, kidneys5-7
Rabbit meat, turkey3-4,5
Veal2,8-2,9
Mutton2,8-3,1
Mackerel2,3-2,5
Caviar caviar1,9
Carp1,9
Name of herbal products Iron content in mg per 100 g
Halva tahini and sunflower, pomegranate and pomegranate juice33-45
Dried mushrooms: champignons, white, Polish, boletus, boletus, grandmother31-34
Wheat bran, oatmeal17-20
Molasses and all dried fruits, including dried apricots, apples, raisins, pears, prunes, etc.17-23
Brewer's yeast and seeds: poppy, sesame, pumpkin, sesame15-20
Cocoa and leafy greens: parsley, spinach, dill, celery11-13
Buckwheat, oatmeal, barley, wheat groats7-8
Fresh mushrooms, including wild ones6-7
Legumes: beans, lentils, peas, beans4-6
Raw nuts: almonds, cedar, hazelnuts, cashews, brazilian, walnuts4-5
Wheat flour3-3,2
Raspberries1,5-1,9

As you can see, foods that quickly increase hemoglobin are not exotic fruits or delicacies that are inaccessible at prices for most of us. We are talking about the usual food for us, which is sold in any store. One has only to figure out which of the products contain high doses of iron and are easily absorbed by the human body.

When compiling a diet, it should be borne in mind that the absorption of the trace element iron from animal products is from 20 to 30%, and from plant foods - from 3 to 5%. Therefore, the rejection of meat and offal, fish, eggs and dairy foods, which is typical for adherents of a raw food diet and vegetarianism, often leads to iron deficiency and a decrease in hemoglobin levels in the blood.

Fans of strict diets aimed at intensive weight loss are at risk of earning anemia. The absence of animal food in the diet, which is the main supplier of iron, as well as an imbalance in the menu can lead to serious violations of the functions of all organs and systems, including hematopoietic.

For maximum absorption of iron from incoming food, the presence of the following vitamins is necessary: ​​C (ascorbic acid), B9 (folic acid) and B12 (cyanocobalamin).

That is, in the presence of these compounds, the microelement is absorbed in the intestine to the greatest extent. Therefore, in addition to the iron-containing products listed in the table, the following products should be included in the daily menu.

The best sources of vitamin C are: rose hips, sweet bell peppers, especially red varieties, black currants, gouava, kiwi, horseradish, sea buckthorn, broccoli, Brussels sprouts and cauliflower, sauerkraut, parsley, radish, all citrus fruits, strawberries, strawberries, pineapple, dried fruits .

The best sources of vitamin B9 are: beef liver, brewer's yeast, peanuts, legumes, seeds, kelp (seaweed), spinach, dandelion leaves and other leafy greens, cod liver, avocados, apricots, dried fruits.

The best sources of vitamin B12 are: beef liver and other offal, rabbit and turkey meat, beef, lamb, hard cheeses, sea fish and all seafood, including seaweed, soybeans, egg yolks, brewer's yeast.

As you can see, some foods are rich in iron, ascorbic acid and B vitamins at the same time. Thus, we can conclude that best increases hemoglobin the following food:

  1. Beef and all offal.
  2. Seafood.
  3. Brewer's yeast.
  4. Cheeses.
  5. Sea fish.
  6. Berries, seeds and dried fruits.

Enriching the diet with fish and meat purees with the addition of greens is an ideal option for complementary foods that should be introduced gradually.

Oatmeal, rye bread, egg yolk, dried fruits instead of sweets, peaches, apricots, apples and plums - this is what will help normalize hemoglobin levels in childhood in a short time.

How to quickly increase hemoglobin in pregnant women?

The menu of pregnant women should be varied and complete. In addition to the products listed in the table with a high iron content, nutritionists advise expectant mothers to drink freshly squeezed juices: pomegranate, tomato, apple, orange, grapefruit, rich in ascorbic acid and a whole complex of trace elements.

Naturally, these fruits should not cause allergies. Iron-rich plant foods, including spinach, parsley, dill, almonds, cedar, dried apricots, pumpkin, strawberries, watermelon, and brewer's yeast, are an ideal way to normalize blood composition in pregnant women.

What hinders the absorption of iron?

First of all, we are talking about caffeine. Coffee, black tea and energy drinks slow down the absorption of iron from food. Alcohol and nicotine cause undeniable harm to metabolic processes.

So, normalizing the composition of the blood with the help of dietary nutrition is a very real task. The main thing is to follow all the recommendations of the specialist observing you and not be lazy to cook delicious, varied and nutritious dishes from the products mentioned in this article.

Be healthy!


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An important indicator of a child's health is the level of hemoglobin in the blood. This complex protein, the basis of red blood cells, is needed to carry oxygen to organs and tissues. The normal functioning of the body depends on it. Therefore, it is so important to control the composition of the blood from birth. And every mother needs to know how to raise the hemoglobin of a child without medication. After all, most medications have many side effects and especially negatively affect the gastrointestinal tract.

What metrics should you focus on?

After birth, the baby's hemoglobin is usually normal. The reserves received from the mother during pregnancy are enough for up to six months. But its level may begin to decline even earlier. This happens if during pregnancy a woman did not treat iron deficiency anemia, she often had colds. You can find out that it is necessary to raise the level of iron-containing protein by the following symptoms:

  • the muscles are weak, the child lags behind in physical development, later begins to raise his head, sit down;
  • the skin dries, cracks, hair and nails do not grow well;
  • the work of the digestive system is disturbed, appetite decreases, diarrhea, stomatitis, thrush develop;
  • after 1 year mental retardation is noticeable;
  • frequent colds.

The norms of the indicator fluctuate depending on age. If at birth the lower limit can be about 140 g / l, then after two months a state below 110 g / l is considered critical. By regularly donating blood, you can keep track of all the necessary data. With reduced values, the doctor should suggest how to increase hemoglobin in an infant. Treatment will vary depending on the severity of the condition.

If the level falls below 100 g/l, it must be treated under medical supervision with special medications. Indicators above this figure can be adjusted independently by adjusting the power supply.

Nutrition for correction

If anemia in a child under 1 year old has just begun to develop, and the condition does not yet threaten his health, it is better not to immediately resort to medications. You can ask your doctor how to normalize the condition with home remedies. And it all depends on the type of food. A breastfed baby receives all the necessary trace elements from mother's milk. Therefore, a nursing woman needs to adjust the diet. It is important for mom to eat more:

  • meat products, especially liver;
  • buckwheat, rye bread, lentils;
  • legumes;
  • egg yolks;
  • seafood;
  • greens - parsley, spinach, celery;
  • vegetables, especially beets, carrots, broccoli;
  • berries - blueberries, cranberries;
  • drink pomegranate or carrot juice.

In formula-fed babies, iron from food is absorbed worse, so it is better to choose special adapted mixtures.

Signs of anemia are not noticed immediately, since hemoglobin is usually elevated after birth. After about 6 months, iron stores decline, and if there is not enough iron in the diet, anemia develops. By this age, it is recommended to give complementary foods. It is better to use the following products for this:

  • Brussels sprouts;
  • beef or chicken;
  • buckwheat porridge;
  • dried fruits compote;
  • rosehip decoction;
  • diluted pomegranate juice.


Meat, fish and vegetables are used to make mashed potatoes, pastes, and when the baby is 1 year old, you can boil them, bake them. It is better to give fruits and berries fresh or prepare kissels, fruit drinks, juices from them. Ordinary buckwheat porridge sprinkled with green onions helps well. Pomegranate, quince, persimmon, dried fruits, cauliflower and fish are also useful.

In order to increase iron-containing protein with nutrition, you need to know in which case its production can slow down.

Even with a large number of iron-rich foods, the indicator may be reduced due to non-absorption of iron.

This can happen under the influence of soy, calcium, polyphenols, which are found in tea and legumes. In children, cow's milk is poorly absorbed, in addition, it also reduces the absorption of iron. Low hemoglobin levels may also be due to a lack of folic acid, vitamin B12, in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

Folk recipes

Previously, many mothers knew how to eliminate the problem without drugs. Therefore, anemia in infants was rare. There are many time-tested recipes that work well and are very popular with children. But they can be used no earlier than 7-8 months of age, paying attention to the presence of an allergic reaction and individual intolerance. The advantage of these funds is their availability and ease of preparation.

There is another effective recipe in traditional medicine. It is suitable even for very young children with anemia. . You need to make a decoction of natural oats in milk. Take a liter of milk per glass of grains. Cook over very low heat for at least an hour. Then cool and strain. Give this liquid in a teaspoon. Older children can drink it instead of tea.

Other Methods

In addition to nutrition, lifestyle is very important. To maintain a high level of hemoglobin, you need to properly care for the baby. Need massage, special gymnastics, daily walks for at least 4 hours in the fresh air. It is easier to do this in summer, because anemia is more often diagnosed in children during the cold season.

The child should sleep in a ventilated area. On the recommendation of a doctor, it should be started to harden as soon as possible. When one year old, it is necessary to give the opportunity to move more independently, especially in the fresh air.

Anemia in infants has recently been a common occurrence. And it is dangerous because it slows down development, worsens the general state of his health. Therefore, every mother needs to know how to raise hemoglobin in simple and affordable ways.

Hemoglobin is a special protein found in red blood cells that transports oxygen from the lungs to the tissues. When the concentration of hemoglobin in the blood decreases, anemia (anemia) occurs.

This is a pathological condition that is characterized by a decrease in the number of erythrocytes (red blood cells) and oxygen starvation.

Hemoglobin consists of a protein and an iron-containing part. In most cases, anemia occurs due to a decrease in the level of iron in the blood and is called iron deficiency anemia.

In the article you will learn how to understand what a child has and how to raise his level. You can find out about the norms of hemoglobin in children.

Causes and symptoms of low hemoglobin in a child

As a result of a decrease in hemoglobin concentration, the functionality of the whole organism decreases due to hypoxia (oxygen starvation). This condition does not manifest itself for a long time, but the child's condition cannot be called normal. The main symptom that is not immediately evident is a decrease in immunity.

The main signs of low hemoglobin:

  • Pale skin;
  • Dry mucous membranes;
  • Bluish staining of the lips;
  • Peeling of the skin;
  • brittle hair and nails;
  • Frequent inflammation of the oral mucosa;
  • Predisposition to seasonal diseases;
  • Unstable bowel movements;
  • Constant lethargy and drowsiness;
  • Nervousness;
  • Disorders of thermoregulation against the background of dysfunction of the central nervous system;
  • Frequent dizziness.

The concentration of hemoglobin can decrease for various reasons, and therefore the following types of anemia are distinguished:

Reasons for a decrease in hemoglobin:

  • Vitamin B9, B12 or copper deficiency;
  • The growth of a child that exceeds normal levels;
  • Improper nutrition;
  • Early cessation of lactation (iron is found in mother's milk, it is absorbed with the help of the protein lactoferin, with early weaning, the concentration of hemoglobin in the body of the newborn decreases);
  • Violation of the natural bacterial flora of the intestine (due to dysbacteriosis, the child's body does not absorb vitamins and minerals, including iron).

With iron deficiency or heavy bleeding in a pregnant woman, the risk of having a baby with a low concentration of hemoglobin in the blood increases.

Also, low hemoglobin in a child may be due to infection with helminths (worms), allergies, frequent medication, lack of fresh air and sun in winter.

Consequences of low hemoglobin in a child

Hemoglobin transports oxygen from the lungs to the tissues and removes carbon dioxide from them. With a decrease in its concentration, the functionality of the oxygen supply system is disrupted, which causes the withering of tissues and organs. As a result, the work of the whole organism is disrupted.

Due to hemoglobin deficiency, immunity is weakened and pathogens enter the body. There are serious interruptions in the work of the immune system, so even a common cold provokes dangerous complications. In addition, the child lags behind his peers in mental and intellectual development.

Lifestyle to normalize hemoglobin levels

To determine the level of hemoglobin, it is necessary to donate blood for analysis. Doctors recommend checking yourself on this indicator every month.

To identify the problem, you need to familiarize yourself with the norms of hemoglobin in children of different ages:

  • Up to 12 months - from 117 to 140;
  • 1–5 years - from 110 to 140;
  • 5–10 years - from 115 to 145;
  • 10-12 years - from 120 to 150.

If the hemoglobin concentration is below normal, it is necessary to consult a doctor. In addition to the normalization of nutrition, doctors recommend leading a healthy lifestyle.

And for this, the child needs to walk in the fresh air from 4 to 6 hours a day. To prevent hypoxia, you need to ventilate the room in which the baby sleeps daily.

And, of course, the child must be active, participate in outdoor games, and do physical exercises daily. Breathing exercises and hardening also have a positive effect on the body, but these techniques can be used only after the permission of the doctor.

Only under the above conditions can the concentration of hemoglobin be increased. However, with an active lifestyle, you need to eat right, otherwise hemoglobin in the blood will decrease even more.

Nutrition to increase hemoglobin concentration

Prevention of anemia in a child must be carried out even in the period of intrauterine development. A pregnant woman should eat foods that contain a lot of iron: meat, buckwheat, pomegranates.

Breastfeeding women should include iron-rich foods in their diet. If the newborn is bottle-fed, then you need to choose a mixture with a high iron content.


From 6 months, vegetables, such as Brussels sprouts, can be introduced into the diet of a newborn.
Buckwheat porridge and meat puree (from chicken or turkey) will also have a beneficial effect on the condition of the baby.

The child can be given fruit compote or rosehip tea. Before use, pomegranate juice must be diluted with boiled water in a ratio of 1: 1 to prevent dyspepsia (digestive disorders).

A specific diet for children from 2 years of age should include foods with iron, which is easily absorbed by the body, such as boiled beef. Prepare dishes with veal, pork, lamb, as well as rabbit meat. A lot of iron is found in the kidneys, lungs, liver, tongue. Caviar, shellfish, shrimp are preferable to fish, which contains less iron than the above seafood.

Include soy, lentils, buckwheat, wheat and rye bread in your diet. Cook meals with soy, beans, peas and other legumes. To increase hemoglobin, you need to regularly consume a side dish.

You can not do without vegetables and fruits: beets, bananas, apples, spinach, carrots. It is very useful for the body of a child with low hemoglobin pomegranate. Include berries in your diet: rose hips, currants, raspberries, strawberries.

At the time of treatment, it is necessary to reduce the amount of dairy products in the child's diet. Remove foods that contain a lot of calcium from the children's menu: yogurt, sour cream, cottage cheese, cheese, etc.

To quickly normalize the level of hemoglobin, exclude tonic drinks from the diet (cocoa, tea, coffee, sweet soda). Herbal teas and filtered water without gas have a beneficial effect on the child's body.

In addition to iron-containing foods, it is recommended to eat foods high in ascorbic acid. This vitamin facilitates the absorption of iron by the child's body. To do this, include oranges, lemons, kiwi and other citrus fruits, as well as paprika in your diet. Other iron-containing foods: persimmons, quince, plums, tomatoes, etc. medicines. The choice of drugs depends on the age of the patient and the severity of the disease. Usually the therapeutic course lasts from 3 months to six months.

Medications for the prevention and treatment of iron deficiency anemia:

  • Sorbifer Durules is an antianemic drug that is prescribed for children from 12 years of age;
  • Ferrum Lek is a drug that replenishes iron deficiency in the blood, the dosage depends on the weight of the child;
  • Totem is an effective anti-anemic remedy that strengthens the immune system, suitable for children from 3 months.

For the prevention and treatment of anemia, Ferretab, Iron Gluconate, Ferronal, Maltofer, etc. are also used.

Thus, to prevent anemia, carefully monitor the condition of the child and consult a doctor when the first symptoms appear. After conducting a blood test, the doctor will clarify the diagnosis and determine the treatment regimen.

Now you know how to increase hemoglobin in a child at different ages. From an early age, teach your baby to a healthy lifestyle and proper nutrition. Eat healthy food even during pregnancy and breastfeeding. And remember, self-medication is dangerous to health!