Anemia is when there is not enough  red blood cells or hemoglobin to  carry oxygen throughout the body.  The body needs oxygen for survival. Severe anemia can be life threatening. Your child may be anemic for any of the following  reasons.

• body not producing enough red blood cells
• there is not enough hemoglobin in the red blood cells . Hemoglobin makes it possible for red blood cells to carry oxygen to all cells of the body and carry  carbon dioxide away
• the body destroys or loses too much red blood cells.

How to tell if your child is anemic

Signs of anemia in your child include the following :

• pale , gray or ashy skin . The lining of the eyelids and nail bed may look less pink than normal
• fatigue or weakness
• irritability

Children with severe anemia may have the following symptoms in addition

• shortness of breath
• rapid heart beat
• swollen hands and feet

Newborns with hemolytic anemia become jaundiced. However many newborns are mildly jaundiced and not anemic.

Children who are iron deficient may eat strange things such as ice, clay, dirt and corn starch. This behavior is known as pica. It can be harmful when the child starts eating toxic substances such as lead paint chips. This behavior usually goes away when the anemia is treated .

If your child is exhibiting any of these symptoms, see your pediatrician right away. A blood count can be used to diagnose anemia.

How to prevent anemia in children

Iron deficient anemia and the nutritional  anemia can be prevented by making sure your child is eating a balanced diet. This can by done by following these suggestions

• do not give your baby cow milk until she is over 12 months old
• give your breastfeeding babies  foods with iron such as cereal when you begin to feed them solid food. Before then their  only source of iron will be from breast milk. However feeding them  solid foods with too little iron will decrease the amount of iron she gets from milk
• give your formula fed baby , iron fortified formula
• vitamin C enhances the absorption of iron. Give your child food rich in vitamin C such as strawberries, kiwi, tomatoes,
• make sure older children eat well-balanced diet with iron. Check label of foods. Most cereals and grain have iron. Other good sources of iron include
  • red meat
  • egg yoke
  • tomatoes
  • potatoes
  • raisins
  • molasses

Anemia will improve with proper treatment.