Which foods contribute to an increase in hemoglobin in children — nutrition rules for different ages

Anemia is a fairly common cause of mental disabilities and complex development among children, which is confirmed by research . That is why pediatricians recommend regularly donating blood for analysis – to control the concentration of hemoglobin and prevent anemia.

At the same time, the risk factors for anemia in children are much greater than in adults, since their body is actively growing and consumes more vitamins, minerals and iron, almost all intercellular metabolic processes are also much faster.

What foods should be given to a child to raise the hemoglobin level to an acceptable level? And most importantly, what level is considered such?

What is the danger of low hemoglobin?

Low hemoglobin leads to anemia (often referred to as anemia).

With hemoglobin deficiency, practically all tissues and organs receive much less oxygen , which affects their slow growth/development. This also applies to the brain and nervous system, of the cardiovascular system , skeleton and so on.

Low hemoglobin is especially dangerous in newborns, in whose body red blood cells are actively oxidized and new ones are produced (by the way, it is precisely because of this that in the first months of life it can change blood type is a normal occurrence).

Therefore, the concentration of hemoglobin is measured even in the maternity hospital, literally in the first or second days of the child's life (when he is already breathing himself and is not connected to the mother's body by the placenta).

The norm of blood content

The norm of hemoglobin in the blood of children is as follows:

• From 1 to 6 years old - from 100 to 140 grams per liter;
• From 6 to 12 years old - from 120 to 150 grams per liter;
• In newborns - from 90 to 110 grams per liter (and grows slightly every month until the lower limit reaches 100 grams per liter or more).

In newborns in the first days of life, hemoglobin changes in waves – this is a normal phenomenon. But if hemoglobin drops to less than 90 grams per liter, immediate medical intervention is required.

Signs of low levels

The only correct way to determine that a child has low hemoglobin is to donate blood for analysis (it is possible from both a finger and a vein, it is recommended to carry out several fences with a break of a couple of days). But it is not always possible to seek qualified medical care.

You can still recognize low hemoglobin for the following symptoms:

1. Pale skin color;
2. Reduced activity and chronic fatigue ;
3. Severe loss of appetite;
4. Deterioration of memory and concentration of attention ;
5. Quick change in taste preferences;
6. Allergy (may indicate problems in the endocrine system);
7. Palpitations (sometimes accompanied by increased blood pressure);
8. Not the best condition of the skin, hair, nails.

Also, children with anemia often experience shortness of breath for no obvious reason (including without physical exertion).

Nutrition rules for children

First of all, it is necessary to point out that hemoglobin deficiency is often associated not with a lack of certain micronutrients, but with chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, hormonal, and cardiovascular systems.

Therefore, it is necessary to consult with a pediatrician on this matter. He will also send for all the necessary studies and tests that will help determine the exact cause of anemia.

Up to 1 year

To increase the hemoglobin level in the blood of children under one year old, breast milk will be the optimal diet. And more importantly during this period follow a healthy diet for a young mother by including iron-containing foods in the diet, as well as vitamin-rich B-groups. These include:

1. Beef;
2. Lean pork;
3. Liver (beef or pork);
4. Apples ;
5. Grenades ;
6. Carrots ;
7. Nuts ;
8. Seafood;
9. Legumes;
10. Cereal porridge.

And the most important thing is to follow a varied diet. That is, regularly cook different dishes in order to normalize the biochemical composition of blood , and breast milk.

If the child is on artificial feeding (formula milk), then preference should be given to those, which include iron and B-group vitamins . In this regard, you should consult with a pediatrician. Mixtures are always selected individually, depending on how well they are absorbed by the child's body.

If the child is more than 9 months old, then the introduction of complementary foods is allowed. At the same time, ground grain porridges, mashed meat, vegetable oil, natural compotes or juices are necessarily added to the diet (be sure to dilute with water).

From 1 to 3 years old

During this period, preference should be given to vegetables, fruits, greens, as well as meat purees. With low hemoglobin Dairy products should not be abused , especially cottage cheese, yoghurts, dairy desserts, kefir – they contain calcium, which makes it difficult to assimilate iron.

Also, the diet must include applesauce (or apple drying), carrot juice or mashed potatoes (you can use sugar), buckwheat porridge , legumes (not earlier than 18 months). You should also give up wheat bread in favor of bran bread – this is a good prevention of constipation (and at the same time, bran has a high iron content, almost 20 mg per 100 grams).

And, if possible, up to 2-3 years of age, the baby should be given breast . Mother's milk is a concentrated mixture with vitamins, easily digestible proteins, and iron, which best helps to increase hemoglobin, as well as comprehensively strengthen the immune system.

From 3 to 6 years old

In addition to recommendations for children under 3 years of age (with the exception of breast milk), the diet it is recommended to add gradually:

1. Chocolate (and other cocoa–based products, the exception is white chocolate, as it has a high milk content);
2. Liver (can be in the form of mashed potatoes or pate with vegetables, it is recommended to cook at home);
3. Berries ;
4. Fruit juices;
5. Prunes, raisins, dried apricots;
6. Eggs (chicken is also suitable, but at times it is healthier and easier for the stomach to digest quail);
7. Pumpkin, potatoes (boiled or baked, without roasting).

You can also give a small amount of table flaxseed oil – it is rich in omega-3 unsaturated fatty acids, which accelerate intercellular metabolic processes, including those involving iron molecules.

Non-recommended products at this age include fatty cheeses, sour cream, fermented baked milk, as well as various kinds of desserts.

From 6 to 12 years old

At this age, you can quickly increase hemoglobin with the following foods and drinks:

1. Herbs (including parsley, turmeric, basil);
2. Pomegranate juice (not recommended in concentrated form, it must be diluted);
3. Apples fresh and baked;
4. Nuts;
5. Wheat or rice bran;
6. Seafood (preference should be given to fatty fish varieties , as well as red and black caviar).

Many pediatricians also recommend at this age prepare tea based on rosehip berries - it helps not only to raise hemoglobin, but also to strengthen the immune system.

You should also definitely give up black tea, coffee and any other drinks containing caffeine – all of them significantly slow down the absorption of iron, increase the concentration of tannins in the blood (which prevent biochemical reactions with amino acids).

Other important recommendations

Almost all metabolic processes in the body accelerate with an increase in the level of vitamin D in the blood (since it accelerates the absorption of calcium, and its concentration gradually decreases).

Therefore, doctors recommend to walk outdoors as often as possible and more , as well as sunbathing (with caution for children under 3 years old, since their skin is practically not protected from ultraviolet radiation and it is extremely easy to get burned).

It is also possible to increase hemoglobin with the help of active games, physical activity – all this also accelerates the absorption of proteins and amino acids, which just enter into a biochemical reaction with iron molecules.

It is also important to observe the modes of activity and rest - blood is mainly produced at night during sleep. Therefore, the child must follow the regime and go to bed at the same time every day.

It is also possible to increase hemoglobin with the help of a hematogen – this is a kind of dessert obtained from the shaped elements of the blood of cattle. It is sold in the form of sweets or chocolates in pharmacies, it is allowed to give it to children from 2 years old and older (you should specify this information in the instructions).

There are also special variations of the hematogen with an increased content of iron and B vitamins - this one can be used in the active treatment of anemia.

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Conclusion

In total, low hemoglobin is dangerous for a child in the sense that it negatively affects the development of the entire body, including the brain. Anemia is especially dangerous for infants – it can provoke the development of the most complex and irreversible pathologies in the nervous system.

In most cases, but not always, it is possible to increase hemoglobin to an acceptable level by adjusting the diet. If this does not help, then you should definitely seek medical help.