Anemia/blood disorder

Anemia is a common blood disorder that occurs when there is a reduction in the number of healthy, circulating red blood cells, the amount of hemoglobin (contained in the red blood cells), or the volume of packed red cells. Anemia may be caused by break down of red blood cells, blood loss from the body, or inadequate production of red blood cells. It may result from an inherited disorder or be caused by something in the child’s environment, such as poor nutrition, infection, or exposure to a toxin.

Specific diagnoses of anemia include Iron-deficiency Anemia, Hemolytic Anemia, Aplastic Anemia, Cooley's Anemia (also called Thalessemia), Fanconi Anemia, Sickle Cell Anemia, and G6PD Deficiency.

Iron-deficiency anemia, the most common among children, can occur at any age, but is commonly see in those under age 2 and in adolescent girls who have started menstruating. Drinking cow’s milk rather than breast milk or iron fortified infant formula can be a cause of anemia in babies. Less than 1/2 of children under age 2, and only about 1/4 of all teenage girls meet the recommended daily intake of iron.

Signs of anemia can include a mild paleness of the skin, lips and nail beds, irritability, fatigue, dizziness, lightheadedness, and a rapid heartbeat. Other symptoms might include jaundice, dark urine, easy bruising or bleeding, and enlargement of the spleen or liver. In infants and preschool children, iron-deficiency anemia can result in developmental delays and behavioral disturbances, which may persist into and beyond school age if the deficiency is not treated.

Anemia can be detected by blood tests, iron tests, hemoglobin tests, and bone marrow tests. Treatment depends on the cause and type. For iron-deficiency anemia, it may include medication and adding iron-rich foods to the diet. A doctor can also provide advice about food combinations that can inhibit the absorption of iron (such as drinking iced tea with a meal) or promote it, such as vitamin C. In most cases of iron-deficiency anemia, with treatment the blood counts will return to normal within 2 months.

For more information:
KidsHealth
http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/medical/heart/anemia_p2.html

Aplastic Anemia and MDS International Foundation, Inc.
(800) 747-2820
http://www.aplastic.org

Cooley's Anemia Foundation
(800) 522-7222
www.thalassemia.org

Fanconi Anemia Research Fund, Inc. [FARF]
1-541-687-4658
www.fanconi.org

Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Inc.
(800) 421-8453
www.sicklecelldisease.org

07/04