Does a 8-month-old baby need a blood test for a physical examination?

Patient's question:

No

Doctor's answer:

Generally, between 1 to 4 months after birth, babies may experience physiological anemia. This is because infants grow and develop rapidly, requiring a high amount of iron. The iron stored in babies at birth, transferred from the mother, is usually depleted within 3 months. Breast milk or cow's milk cannot provide sufficient iron to meet the baby's needs, making them prone to physiological anemia.