Patient's question:
My child is seven months old. Last time I took them to the hospital for a check-up, the doctor said my child has anemia. How can anemia be supplemented? Moreover, my child's anemia is quite severe, and I am very anxious. How did the child get anemia and how can it be supplemented?Doctor's answer:
A seven-month-old baby with anemia is mostly suffering from iron-deficiency anemia. Severe anemia requires oral iron supplements to replenish iron, while mild anemia is generally managed by dietary adjustments. If the baby's blood test shows hemoglobin below 90g/L, the baby should be given iron supplements, such as iron dextran tablets, to take orally, and vitamin C should be added to promote iron absorption. If the hemoglobin is above 90g/L, dietary adjustments can be made, such as eating more iron-rich foods like animal liver and iron-fortified rice. Generally, after two weeks of medication and dietary adjustments, a follow-up blood test should be conducted. Even after the hemoglobin returns to normal, iron supplementation should continue for 1-2 months.