Anemia - Complications

Risk Factors

Among Americans with iron deficiency anemia, young children have the highest risk followed by premenopausal women. Adolescent and adult men and postmenopausal women have the lowest risk. Men, in fact, are at risk for iron overload, probably because of their high meat intake and minimal iron loss.

Infants and Children

Up to 20% of American children and 80% of children in developing countries become anemic at some point during their childhood and adolescence. Iron deficiency is the most common cause in children, but other forms of anemia, including hereditary blood disorders, can also cause anemia in this population.

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Hispanic American children have double the rates of iron deficiency as African-American and Caucasian children. Children in lower-income homes are at higher risk than those in higher income homes. However, children in any income group can develop iron deficiency.

Children need to absorb an average of 1 mg per day of iron to keep up with the needs of their growing bodies. Since children only absorb about 10% of the iron they eat, most children need to receive 8 - 10 mg of iron per day. However, breast milk contains very little iron. Babies who are exclusively breastfed should get a daily oral iron supplement starting at age 4 months and continued until iron-rich solid foods are introduced.

An iron-poor diet is a common cause of iron deficiency. Drinking too much cow's milk (usually more than 2 cups per day) is a common cause of iron deficiency in young children because cow’s milk contains little iron and can get in the way of iron absorption. Cow's milk also can cause problems in the intestine that lead to blood loss and increased risk of anemia. Babies should not get cow’s milk before they are 12 months old.

Iron deficiency most commonly affects babies 9 - 24 months old. All babies should have a screening test for iron deficiency at around age 12 months. Babies born prematurely may need to be tested earlier. Other factors associated with iron-deficiency anemia in infants and small children include: