Preparations of iron for children. Correction of iron deficiency in children

A growing child's body needs iron for its full development and good health. Unfortunately, recently a growing number of kids are experiencing a lack of it. Preparations of iron for children help to eliminate this problem and make up for the lack of an important trace element.

How is iron deficiency manifested?

Anemia develops against the background of a decrease in the number of red blood cells in the blood. These red blood cells are responsible for delivering oxygen throughout the body. It is bound by a special protein - hemoglobin. Hypoxia is more susceptible to pregnant women, children of different ages and people living near industrial enterprises.

Characteristic signs of iron deficiency anemia are:

• Pale skin.
• Cardiopalmus.
• Shortness of breath after minor physical exertion.
• Changing taste preferences (like chalk, clay).
• Frequent headaches.
• Peeling skin.
• Poor weight gain in children.
• Frequent colds.
• Tearfulness.
• Zaeda in the corners of his mouth.
• Lack of appetite.

When identifying the first symptoms of anemia, you should seek help from a doctor, take laboratory tests and begin treatment with iron preparations that will match the age category. Particular attention is paid to the anemia in children. The disease can lead to serious consequences.

What affects the development of iron deficiency in children?

Anemia can occur even in newborn babies. The blame for this can be the placenta pathology during the fetal gestation and the lack of a microelement in the body of the future mother. There are also a number of factors that create favorable conditions for the development of iron deficiency:

• Multiple pregnancy.
• Premature birth.
• Violation of the absorption of iron in the intestine (caused by gastrointestinal diseases).
• Bleeding during pregnancy.
• Early tying of the umbilical cord.
• A lot of baby at birth.
• Artificial feeding.
• Lack of iron in the nourishment of the nursing mother.

A full-term baby has enough micronutrient stocks for 6 months, after which it is necessary to introduce foods with its content into the diet. The benefits of mother's milk are priceless, but it can only fill the lack of iron in a growing child's body for the first time. The complementary feeding should be balanced and entered on the recommendation of the doctor.

If anemia is detected during the examination, the pediatrician will select the necessary iron preparations for children and adjust the food.

When should iron-containing funds be taken?

First of all, it is necessary to conduct laboratory tests of blood serum. The results of the analysis will indicate the number of red blood cells, color index and hemoglobin level. The direction for laboratory diagnosis can be obtained at a reception with a pediatrician. After the examination it is necessary to find out the true cause of iron deficiency. Treatment begins with their elimination. Additional biochemical blood tests may be prescribed.

In childhood, the norms of the indicators of analysis are different and depend on the age of the child. For example, in a newborn, the hemoglobin level is much higher than in an adult, and is 140-225 g / l (on day 3 after birth). By the end of 2 months, the indices are reduced to 140 g / l. At the age of 1 year, the norm is 100-140 g / l.

Up to 5 years, the baby's organism is most susceptible to micronutrient deficiency, and if the hemoglobin level in the blood drops below 110 g / l - this is considered an anemia and the use of iron preparations will be justified. Assimilation from medicines passes more effectively than from the consumed products (although earlier it was believed that it is enough only to adhere to the diet). A positive result of drug therapy is possible only with the adjustment of nutrition and the regime of the day (full sleep, outdoor walks, calm family environment).

Choice of iron-containing preparations

It is forbidden to prescribe a medicament for the child, containing a microelement. Even the best iron preparations can cause an allergic reaction and numerous side effects. To pick up a medicine and calculate the individual scheme of treatment can only the doctor, having spent diagnostics and determining the degree of the disease. It will be necessary to conduct repeated blood tests to check the results of therapy, which usually lasts for several months.

Depending on the patient's age, the optimal form of medication is selected. Babies of infancy and up to 3 years are intended syrups, suspensions and drops ("Totem", "Ferrum Lek", "Maltofer", "Aktiferrin"). For older children, it is better to use drugs in the form of tablets:

• "Ferroplex" (authorized from 3 years).
• "Maltofer" (tablets are allowed from 7 years).
• "Aktiferrin" (capsules from 7 years old).
• "Tardiferon" (tablets with 6 years).
• "Hemofer prolongatum" (tablets with delayed action, the dosage is calculated by the weight of the patient).
• "Heferol" (from the age of 12).

When choosing a remedy for a child, it is necessary to pay attention to safety, bioavailability, pleasant taste (especially important for children of younger age group), tolerability of the incoming components of the medication. Correctly selected iron medicines will bring the desired effect and increase the level of hemoglobin at the end of the first month of admission.

Tardiferon: description

The drug "Tardiferon" is a French development and is available in the form of tablets. The main active ingredient is ferrous sulphate, which is better absorbed than the trivalent group. Ascorbic acid in the composition contributes to absorption. Auxiliary component is also mukoproteaza, prolonging the therapeutic effect of the drug "Tardiferon". The price in pharmacies ranges from 220 to 260 rubles. For packing (30 tablets).

It is taken during the treatment and prevention of iron deficiency anemia caused by pregnancy, bleeding, malnutrition, gastrointestinal diseases. Allowed to use during lactation.

Dosage for children over 6 years old g / l - ½-1 tablet a day, adolescents from 10 years and adults - 1-2 tablets before meals. The effectiveness of the drug is confirmed by studies, and the improvement of the patient's condition occurs already in the second week of therapy. The duration of treatment is determined strictly by the doctor and can be 3-6 months.

Application Features

Contraindications to the use of anti-anemic drugs are individual intolerance of constituent components, internal bleeding, stenosis of the esophagus, impaired glucose absorption, elevated iron level in the blood, ulcer pathology, age of up to 6 years. In any case, before applying "Tardiferon" you need a specialist consultation. Possible side effects, which usually cause iron preparations. Consumer testimonies indicate that there may be abnormalities in the functioning of the intestines (diarrhea, constipation), abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting.

"Aktiferrin" or "Totem": what is better for children?

Many parents face the problem of lack of iron in the body of their growing babies. Studying the available information about all kinds of drugs to treat this kind of anemia (or - as they say in people - anemia), are facing a difficult choice. After all, it is necessary that the drug is both effective and safe. Doctors strongly recommend not to make independent appointments to children, so as not to aggravate the situation and to begin the examination.

Popular iron preparations for children - "Totem" and "Aktiferrin". Both agents are anti-anemic. Active ingredient in the composition is bivalent iron in different forms: gluconate and sulfate. This form is well suited to a child's body.

"Aktiferrin" (price 290-350 rub.) Is available in various forms: capsules, syrup and drops. This advantage plays an important role in the selection of funds for the child. The syrup has a pleasant taste and will please children over 2 years old, and it is convenient to give the newborn a drug in the form of drops. The auxiliary substance - serine - is necessary for better assimilation of the microelement in the body.

The drug "Totem", the use of which is allowed from the first day of life of the baby (the dosage is calculated by weight), refers to the complex and contains copper and zinc. The form of release - glass ampoules, which is not very convenient in the treatment of a child. The drug is effective, which is confirmed by numerous positive reviews.

It should be borne in mind that if you take iron in liquid form, the teeth will stain for a while. Therefore, if a child can drink through a tube, it is better to take this method of taking the medicine.

Ferronal: instructions for use

The drug "Ferronal" produces Germany in the form of tablets and syrup for children. Gluconate iron in the composition helps eliminate micronutrient deficiencies in the body and improves the supply of cells with oxygen.

Like other drugs based on iron "Ferronal" has contraindications, which include individual intolerance of the active substance, anemia, not related to iron deficiency, hepatitis, renal and hepatic insufficiency, alcoholism.

It is convenient to give the product in liquid form to children - in the package there is a measuring cup for exact dosage of the medicine. "Ferronal" is well tolerated by newborns. A child of up to a year should be given 5 ml of solution per day. 4-6 tablets are consumed by adults if necessary. Recently, the drug is almost inaccessible in many pharmacies, so it is replaced with similar means of ferrous iron. Pediatricians prefer to appoint "Aktiferrin" and "Tardiferon", the price of which is almost the same.

"Heferol": price, contraindications and side effects

Iron-containing preparation "Heferol" produced in Macedonia is released in the form of capsules. Ferrofumarate is the main active substance and is well absorbed by the stomach. The drug effectively copes with its task and improves the nutrition of cells with oxygen, increases the hemoglobin in the blood. The capsule promotes rapid entry into the stomach and prevents the gland from staining the tooth enamel.

Anti-anemic remedy "Heferol" (price about 360 rubles.), According to the instruction, is not prescribed for children under 12 years old. Contraindications to use will also be:

• Hemochromotosis.
• Lactase insufficiency.
• Megaloblastic anemia.
• Lead anemia.
• Diseases of the intestine (obstruction, diverticulum, Crohn's disease).
• Alcoholism.
• Chronic hemolysis.

Treatment with the drug can be started only by prescription by a doctor. Children from 12 years and adults as a therapy should take 1-2 capsules per day for half an hour before eating. The duration of the course is 1.5-3 months (depending on the degree of anemia). To consolidate the result, "Heferol" drink a few more months.

According to the annotation, the drug can cause various side effects: vomiting, toothache, diarrhea, anaphylactic shock (overdose), lethargy, lowering of blood pressure, headache, etc.

Consequences of iron deficiency anemia in children

Any disease can lead to serious health problems, especially if it concerns a baby. The lack of iron in the child's body is, first of all, a backwardness in development. To prevent this, even during pregnancy, a woman must monitor her health and, if necessary, use iron preparations. In infancy, as the pediatrician prescribes, the child must receive the missing trace element in the form of medicines.

The lack of iron affects the development of children - they can lose those skills that they already have. Many mothers notice that babies often get sick, reduce appetite, quickly get tired during walks and constantly want to sleep. Thus, the effects of low hemoglobin appear. In more severe stages, problems with the nervous and endocrine system, the digestive tract begin.

Rules for the intake of iron

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid), which is already contained in some medicines, helps to strengthen the action of the drugs. Also, the medicine can be drunk with juice, water. Depending on the group of means, the reception may be before or after a meal. Iron preparations for children are allowed to be consumed during feeding from the minimum dose to avoid allergies, but in this case, absorption in the intestine will be worse.

Treatment with medicines with iron is started only on the instructions of a doctor. Excess of this trace element, as well as shortage, can lead to serious consequences. Overdose, especially for children, is particularly acute. The specialist will select the remedy individually, taking into account the patient's anamnesis, and will calculate the daily dose.

Despite the fact that bivalent iron is better absorbed through the intestine, such drugs cause a large number of side effects. A new generation of drugs with prolonged action or trivalent ferruin allows to minimize the undesirable consequences of anti-anemic therapy. The advertised iron preparations, prices for which are sufficiently accessible to a wide range of the population, may not always be suitable for use in pediatrics.

Interaction with medicines

Medicines with iron give a positive result only if used correctly. This applies not only to dependence on food intake, but also to parallel therapy with other drugs. Calcium, magnesium, tetracycline and penicillin antibiotics, antacids reduce the absorption of iron through the walls of the stomach. Therefore, it is better to refrain from taking them for the period of treatment with anti-anemic medicines.

Strengthen the healing effect will help vitamins of group B, A, E and some trace elements and amino acids. For a complex therapy and a positive result, you must follow a special diet.

Prevention of iron deficiency in children

Prevent iron deficiency anemia in the child is quite possible, if the parents fully perform their duty and monitor the state of the baby's health, they turn in time for medical help. Breastfed should be timely to introduce complementary foods, so that the body receives the right amount of iron for full development and growth. If the hemoglobin values are below the minimum value for the corresponding age, pediatricians prescribe medications, such as drops or syrup "Aktiferrin". The price depends on the form of release of the drug.

Of products, preference should be given to beef, turkey, liver, fish, buckwheat, lentils, spinach, beans. For better assimilation of iron, children are given juices from fruits rich in vitamin C. It should be taken into account that heme iron is better absorbed by the intestine. But this does not mean that the child should eat only meat or fish!

Premature babies will need more iron (2 mg per 1 kg of weight per day). Therefore, medication can be administered immediately after birth. It is important at this time to establish and maintain breastfeeding. The mother's milk contains a whole complex of vitamins and microelements that make it possible to strengthen a small organism.

With the growth of the child, it is necessary to revise its diet and add to it new foods rich in microelements. In order to control the level of hemoglobin, it is necessary to take a blood test on time.