Patient's question:
Today my child (three and a half months old) had a complete blood count:WBC 9.8 10^9/L
RBC 4.22 10^12/L
HGB 100g/L
HCT 0.347
MCV - 82.02fL
MCH - 23.7Pg
Doctor's answer:
Hello, the main source of iron in the body is food. Foods with high iron content include kelp, hair moss, laver, black fungus, pork liver, spinach, etc. Next are beans, eggs, and celery. You can feed 2-3 times a day with vegetable soup and juice, 2-3 spoons each time. From 4-6 months, in addition to feeding some vegetable soup, vegetable puree, and fruit juice, you can gradually add half to one egg yolk, feeding it twice a day. After 7 months, you can gradually increase lean meat, fish, liver powder, tofu, and egg custard for the child.After 1 year, attention should be paid to the diversification of meals when feeding. Although plant-based foods are high in iron, they are not easily absorbed by the human body. The iron in animal-based foods has a higher absorption rate. If plant-based foods and animal-based foods are mixed to eat, it can promote the absorption of iron from plant-based foods. Mixing several plant-based foods can also increase iron absorption. Vitamin E in fresh vegetables and fruits, as well as amino acids, glucose, and trace elements like copper, manganese, and cobalt in food, can all promote iron absorption.
When supplementing iron for children, pay attention to the following four points:
1. Do not leave iron supplements for too long: The most commonly used treatment for iron-deficiency anemia in children is ferrous sulfate. Ferrous sulfate is non-valent iron. If it is left for too long or stored improperly, the divalent iron can oxidize into trivalent iron, affecting the efficacy.
2. Do not take iron supplements before meals: This is because iron supplements stimulate the gastric mucosa. Taking them before meals makes it difficult to tolerate, so they should be taken after meals. Additionally, iron supplements should not be taken with milk, as milk contains a lot of phosphorus, which can affect iron absorption and reduce efficacy.
3. Do not drink tea when taking iron supplements: Many components in tea can bind with iron, affecting the efficacy of the medication.
4. Do not overuse iron supplements: Iron supplement pills