How to Detect Anemia in Children

Anemia, a deficiency of red blood cells, is a rather common blood irregularity in both children and adults. Blood tests are the only sure way to diagnose anemia, but there are several possible causes, and, therefore, a vast range of symptoms. The most common signs that may help you detect anemia in your child are listed below. If you recognize a consistency of these symptoms in your child, visit your family physician for further analysis.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Examine your child's skin color. Unusual paleness, especially in the nails and lips, may indicated anemia.
2. Monitor your child's energy levels. Anemia may cause him/her to seem easily fatigued and frequently tired.
3. Calculate your child's heart rate. An unusually rapid heart rate, particularly after exercise or brief moments of physical activity (such as walking up a flight of stairs), may suggest anemia.
4. Check with your children to see if he/she is short of breath, weak and/or dizzy during exercise or brief moments of physical activity (again, such as walking up the stairs).
5. Keep track of your child's headaches and muscle cramps. Note frequency, duration, activity preceding the occurrence, and, in the case of cramps, location.
6. Pay attention to your child's coordination, reflexes and attentive and cognitive abilities. Poor coordination, slow reflexes and difficulty in concentration and cognitive tasks are all warning signs, particularly in conjunction with one another.
7. Assess your child's mental health and behavior. Does he/she seem to have trouble interacting socially? Is he/she particularly irritable and easily overwhelmed? Have you noticed any signs of depression? Studies have shown a link between conditions such as developmental issues, ADHD and depression and iron deficiency anemia.
8. Note additional abnormalities in your child's physical appearance and behaviors. Additional signs of anemia may include (but are not limited to): changes in appetite; ice-chewing; insomnia; upward curvature of fingernails; dark brown or red urine; excessive bruising; failure to thrive. In severe cases, symptoms of kidney failure or heart failure may surface.
9. Talk to others in contact with your child regularly. Ask teachers, fellow parents and family members if they have noticed changes in your child.
10. Visit your family physician if you think you detect anemia. Bring records of your observations with you to help the doctor track symptom expression and development.

Tips & Warnings

• Prevent anemia with proper diet and supplements. Be sure to discuss with your doctor before making any changes.
• Anemia is often difficult to recognize. Don't berate yourself if you miss it at first.
• Find further information on child, teenager and adult anemia under "Resources."
• Remember, there are many potential causes of anemia. Do not assume it is due to iron deficiency. Visit your doctor for a diagnosis of cause and necessary treatment.
• Some children may be at greater risk for anemia based on genetic factors.
• Anemia that goes untreated may result in serious long-term complications, including (but not limited to): failure to thrive in infancy, lasting psychomotor and cognitive development retardation, delayed physical growth, and even complications such as dementia or hallucinations, heightened susceptibility to infection, and seizures.