“What can I do for my child's anemia?”

The most common causes of infant anemias include nutritional deficiencies (iron, folic acid, or vit. B12), inherited diseases (Thalassemia, Fanconi, and Sickle Cell Anemia). Baby with severe anemia presents with shortness of breath, rapid heart rate, and swelling of the hand and feet. The most common cause of anemia in an infant from birth to three months is physiologic which occurs at approximately six to nine weeksof age. It is good to use either breast milk or formula fortified with iron. Iron supplements: iron drops or pills taken over several months to increase iron level in. the blood. Please, talk to a pediatrician before any regimen. Iron supplements can irritate the stomach. Eating a diet rich in iron can help to increase the iron. It is of great importance to talk to you pediatrician before stating anything because the etiology needs to be evaluated. Thank you.

The most important thing to do is to first find the cause of his anemia. The initial work up can be performed by his primary care physician who can then determine whether or not he needs to be seen by a Hematologist.