Patient's question:
At 5 months, I had a blood test. The doctor said I had anemia. WBC 8.4, RBC 4.09, HGB -106, HCT -0.310, MCV -75.8, MCH -25.9, MCHC 342, PLT...Doctor's answer:
Common diseases in infants. They not only interfere with infant growth and development but are also a cause of many infectious diseases. The definition of anemia refers to a condition where the concentration of hemoglobin in the peripheral blood exceeds the normal standards for the patient's age group, gender, and region. The normal hemoglobin values for infants are shown in the table. In infant health checks, nutritional anemia is the most common type. Infants develop nutritional anemia primarily due to picky eating habits, especially a dislike for vegetables, and a monotonous diet in homes and childcare centers, which often includes more meat and eggs but fewer liver and animal blood-based foods. This is also one of the reasons for anemia. Therefore, mild anemia (hemoglobin levels of 9–12 g) may not require medication and can be corrected through improved dietary nutrition. Meal planning should be based on the nutritional needs of infants and the availability of seasonal vegetables, appropriately combining various fresh green vegetables, fruits, liver, eggs, fish and shrimp, chicken, pork, beef, and blood, along with legume foods. Strive to ensure that no dishes are repeated daily. When cooking, pay attention to color, aroma, and taste. Before meals, briefly explain the characteristics and nutrition of the dishes to the infant to avoid making them dislike eating.