How to Prevent Childhood Anemia

Many people are unaware of this, but a large proportion of children under the age of five are anemic. This iron deficiency can lead to fatigue, as well as a range of other problems, so it is important to deal with it promptly. Prevention is always better than cure though. The best way to prevent anemia is to make sure that your child eats plenty of green leafy vegetables, lean red meat, dried apricots, and other iron rich foods. A multi vitamin supplement that contains iron will go a long way too. If you suspect that your child is anemic, or exhibits symptoms like pale gums and lethargy, your doctor can do a simple blood test to confirm it. The test can also determine just how anemic your child is. Remember that catching anemia early is critical – if iron levels drop too low, a transfusion may be necessary.