Anemia in an infant

Deficient conditions in newborns and in children under one year old are quite dangerous. Anemic syndrome can be the beginning of the development of persistent violations in the internal organs. With the late start of treatment, these conditions lead to the development of dangerous adverse effects in the future.

A decrease in hemoglobin or a reduced amount of red blood cells in the blood indicates the presence of anemia. There are many different factors that cause anemia in an infant.

Hemoglobin plays an important role in the children's body. With its help, nutrients and oxygen are transferred to the cells of the body. Disruption of the transport function as a result of a decrease in the amount of hemoglobin leads to tissue oxygen starvation or hypoxia. This condition is dangerous because after some time persistent destructive changes begin to occur in the internal organs.

Various factors lead to the appearance of anemic syndrome. They can be either congenital or acquired in the first months after birth. A variety of causes cause a decrease in hemoglobin, which leads to an anemic condition in the baby.

The following causes may cause anemia:

• Increased destruction of hemoglobin. It occurs due to pathologies in the blood-forming organs. Most often occurs in diseases of the liver, spleen and bone marrow, which occur hard, require the appointment of emergency treatment.

• Heredity. As a result of genetic abnormalities, the formation of red blood cells is disturbed - hemopoiesis. The number of newly formed red blood cells is too small. They are not enough to perform basic functions for the transport of oxygen. This leads to the development of persistent tissue hypoxia and oxygen starvation of internal organs.

• Prematurity In prematurely born babies, impaired synthesis of erythrocytes is observed due to incompletely formed blood-forming organs. This leads to the fact that the child's body does not produce the required number of red blood cells. Insufficient content of red blood cells leads to a low concentration of hemoglobin, and therefore provokes the development of anemia.

• Multiple pregnancy. Twins or triplets may have lower hemoglobin levels after birth. The greater the body weight of future babies during fetal development, the higher the risk of developing an anemic condition in the first days after their birth.

• Eating disorders. If the child has chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract or the development of individual intolerance of certain products during the feeding, the first anemic manifestations may develop.

• Rapid abandonment of breastfeeding and the transition to artificial compounds. Scientists have shown that breast milk contains enough of all the substances necessary for the growth and development of the baby, including iron. With the rapid abandonment of breastfeeding and improper selection of adapted mixtures, the baby may experience various deficiencies, which ultimately lead to the development of anemic syndrome.

• Congenital tumors. In the presence of such formations there is a rapid and persistent development of anemic syndrome.Quite often, only a decrease in the level of hemoglobin or red blood cells makes it possible to suspect the presence of a tumor in a baby.

• Congenital abnormalities of the digestive system. The presence of anatomical defects in the structure of the stomach or intestines can lead to a violation of the absorption of iron, folic acid and vitamins from the incoming food. Ultimately, this condition leads to the development of anemia.

• Different Rh factor in the baby and mom. In this case, hemolytic anemia develops. Due to the immune response, red blood cell damage occurs. Its outer shell breaks and disrupts the entire structure of the red blood cell. This leads to a strong decrease in hemoglobin in the blood.

Quantitative determination of hemoglobin is used by doctors to establish the prognosis of the disease. A normal level is considered to be above 110 g / liter. A decrease in hemoglobin below this indicator should cause concern to parents and force them to consult a doctor.

By severity, all anemic conditions in infants can be divided into:

• Decrease 1 degree. The hemoglobin level exceeds 90 g / liter, but below 110.

• Decrease 2 degrees. Hemoglobin level is from 70 to 90 g / liter.

• Decrease 3 degrees. Hemoglobin levels range from 50 to 70 g / liter.

• Decrease 4 degrees. The hemoglobin level is below 50 / liter.

Given the various reasons that provoke the development of anemia, there are several options:

• Iron deficiency. Associated with insufficient intake of iron into the body from the outside. Most often occurs due to the rejection of breastfeeding and the use of improper mixtures, as well as the presence of chronic diseases of the digestive system in the baby. Most often it is hypochromic, that is, with a reduced color index.

• Hemolytic. Occur as a result of exposure to various causes that lead to the death of red blood cells. Most often occur with different Rhesus factors in mom and baby during pregnancy, as well as during intrauterine infection with various viral infections.

• Folic acid deficiency. Occur as a result of insufficient intake of folic acid. May be congenital or acquired. Quite often they proceed in a latent form and are difficult to diagnose.

• B12 - deficient. Associated with insufficient content of vitamin B12 in the blood. Occur in the presence of diseases of the digestive system, as well as during worm infestations. Eliminated by parenteral administration of drugs.

In premature babies, doctors identify several variants of anemic conditions. With the development of anemic signs in the 3-4 months of life, such anemia is called later, at an earlier age - earlier. This division allows you to establish the diagnosis as accurately as possible.

It is rather difficult to suspect an anemic condition in a baby with a mild course of the disease. The most specific signs appear only when the hemoglobin content is significantly below the age norm.

The most common symptoms of anemia include the following symptoms:

• Lag in physical development. Bad weight gain can be seen in babies as early as 3 months. A child develops more slowly, poorly gains body weight and looks different than his peers.

• Lowering blood pressure.

• Exposure to frequent colds. The presence in the medical card of a 9-month-old baby information about 5-6 transferred infectious diseases should alert the attending physician.

• Decreased appetite, distorted eating habits. Toddlers can completely refuse certain foods. In some cases, they may like absolutely incompatible, at first glance, combinations of products.

• Pale skin. In severe illness, the baby’s lips become blue. The skin becomes transparent and pale, veins are well translucent.

• Severe dry skin. Even with the use of various moisturizers and nutrients, the baby’s skin remains very dry and easily traumatized.

• Small cracks in the area of ​​the corners of the mouth.

• General weakness, decreased activity, increased drowsiness.

• Behavior change. Toddlers are becoming more restless, fall asleep poorly, may refuse breastfeeding.

• Chair disturbances. Most often - a tendency to constipation. However, diarrhea can be observed in some forms of anemia.

Anemia is dangerous by the development of distant manifestations. With prolonged oxygen deprivation, many internal organs do not receive the necessary amount of oxygen they need to perform all the necessary vital functions. This leads to persistent and pronounced violations.

The most dangerous oxygen starvation for the heart and brain. Prolonged anemia leads to the development of myocarditis. This condition is manifested by the appearance of various heart rhythm disorders. Most often, babies have severe tachycardia or arrhythmias.

For the treatment of anemic conditions used various drugs. If the process is caused by iron deficiency, then iron-containing drugs are used. They can be administered in the form of tablets, syrups and suspensions. In some cases, if the baby has erosive processes in the stomach or intestines, such drugs are prescribed as injections.

Treatment of anemia is long. It takes several months to normalize hemoglobin levels to normal. It is possible to evaluate the first result from treatment only in 2-3 months. For this, a complete blood count is performed. The appearance of reticulocytes indicates the activation of the process of blood formation and is a favorable symptom of improving well-being.

If the cause of the anemia is a congenital defect in the area of ​​the bone marrow or spleen, then in many cases surgery is required. Usually operations are performed at an older age. However, if the baby has cancer and a bone marrow transplant from the donor is required, it may be necessary to proceed immediately.

Compliance with preventive measures should begin during the future mother's pregnancy. Often, babies are born with signs of anemic conditions that have arisen as a result of various pathologies of the mother during gestation. Monitoring the correct and healthy course of pregnancy helps prevent various congenital abnormalities of the blood-forming organs.

The introduction of the first complementary foods should be based on the age of the baby. By the year the diet of the child must include the majority of animal and plant products. Buckwheat, beef, poultry, various cereals, vegetables and fruits should be the daily components of the children's menu.

To prevent the development of anemia in a baby in the first year of life is a very important task. A normal level of hemoglobin is necessary for a child for proper growth and development.

Why does iron deficiency occur in infants? About this reason, the doctor of medical sciences Kapitonova Eleonora Kuzminichna tells.