Anemia is a common problem in children.

A child who has anemia does not have enough red blood cells
or hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a type of protein that allows red blood cells to carry oxygen to other cells in
the body.

Anemia has 3 main causes:

 Loss of red blood cells
 Inability to make enough red blood cells
 Destruction of red blood cells
Decreased red blood cells or hemoglobin levels may be due to:
Inherited red blood cell defects
Infections
Some diseases
Certain medicines
Lack of some vitamins or minerals in the diet
Which children are at risk for anemia?
Risk factors for anemia include:
 Premature or low birth weight
 Living in poverty or immigrating from developing country
 Early use of cow’s milk
 Diet low in iron, or some vitamins or minerals
 Surgery or accident with blood loss
 Long-term illnesses, such as infections, or kidney or liver disease
 Family history of an inherited type of anemia, such as sickle cell anemia

How is anemia diagnosed in a child?

Because anemia is common in children, doctors do routine screening for it. Most anemia in
children is diagnosed with these blood tests:

Hemoglobin and hematocrit. This is often the first screening test for anemia in children. It
measures the amount of hemoglobin and red blood cells in the blood.
Complete blood count (CBC).A complete blood count checks the red and white blood cells,
blood clotting cells (platelets), and sometimes, young red blood cells (reticulocytes).
Peripheral smear.A small sample of blood is examined under a microscope to see if they look
normal.
How is anemia in a child treated?
The treatment for anemia depends on the cause. Some types do not require treatment. Some
types may require medicine, blood transfusions, surgery, or stem cell transplants. Treatment
may include:
Vitamin and mineral drops or pills Changing your child's diet Stopping a medicine that causes
anemia Medicine Surgery to remove the spleen Blood transfusions Stem cell transplants

Anemia is a common blood disorder that occurs when the amount of red blood cells is less than
normal or when the hemoglobin concentration in the blood is low.
Anemia may be due to variations in the shape and size of red blood cells.