{"id":11585,"date":"2022-08-02T11:53:59","date_gmt":"2022-08-02T09:53:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pharmanutra.it\/iron-deficiency-in-childhood-and-adolescents\/"},"modified":"2022-08-02T11:53:59","modified_gmt":"2022-08-02T09:53:59","slug":"iron-deficiency-in-childhood-and-adolescents","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pharmanutra.it\/en\/iron-deficiency-in-childhood-and-adolescents\/","title":{"rendered":"Iron deficiency in childhood and adolescents"},"content":{"rendered":"

Iron is an essential element for the body and is involved in numerous physiological processes; it promotes the formation of hemoglobin and the maturation of red blood cells, supports the immune system and normal cognitive function. \u00a0In younger people the lack of adequate iron intake during childhood can have negative effects on growth both in terms of physical and cognitive development.<\/h2>\n

Human body contains about 3-4 g total of iron, which is mostly recycled and distributed between the bloodstream and various organs. The amount that we introduce daily with food is very low, equal to about 1-2 mg and derives mainly from some foods such as: liver, offal, seafood, meat, fish, milk, some types of green vegetables (spinach), legumes (beans), dried fruit and cocoa.<\/p>\n

\"pharmanutra
Figure 1: Iron metabolism in pur body.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Heme iron<\/strong> comes in the form of a ferrous ion (Fe2+<\/sup>) and is bound to particular proteins (globins) that favor\u00a0 its entry into the bloodstream and about 15-35% is absorbed by the intestine; heme iron<\/em> represents 40% of the iron present in meat foods. Non-heme iron<\/strong>,<\/em> on the other hand, can be found, according to its oxidation state, as a ferrous ion (Fe2+<\/sup>) or as a ferric ion (Fe3+<\/sup>) and constitutes 100% of vegetable foods. Ferrous iron is soluble and easily passes inside duodenal enterocytes, while ferric iron must be transformed into Fe2+<\/sup> to be absorbed by the intestine. The percentage of absorption of non-heme<\/em> iron<\/em> is very low, about 5-12%.<\/p>\n

Once it enters the bloodstream, iron circulates bound to a specific transport protein, called transferrin<\/strong>, which is carried throughout the body and it is partly stored in the form of ferritin <\/strong>mainly in the liver, spleen, bone marrow and, as well as, in myoglobin within muscle tissue.<\/p>\n

Iron deficiency in childhood and adolescents<\/h2>\n

Children (2-12 years)<\/strong> are highly vulnerable and may experience iron deficiency (sideropenia) due to the rapid increase in blood volume and muscle mass during growth and development. Other factors that contribute to the increase in iron requirements are weight gain and physical activity. For this reason, the recommended iron intake in this period is about 7-9 mg per day<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Situations of iron deficiency can also appear during adolescence (12-18 years)<\/strong>, a period characterized by a high need for iron due to rapid growth. Especially in young girls, with the onset of blood loss in the first menstrual cycles, an unbalanced iron levels may be found. The recommended levels of iron (12-14 mg per day)<\/strong> can only be achieved through proper food intake, such as meat, fish, and vegetables, which very often are not appreciated by adolescents.<\/p>\n

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Lack of iron<\/strong> has been shown to affect correct brain function and cognitive development. Therefore, in cases where nutrition is not sufficient to ensure a proper iron intake, it may be necessary to supplement it.<\/p>\n

The most common symptoms<\/strong> related to iron deficiency<\/strong> are:<\/p>\n