Rapid growth rates coupled with limited intakes of iron can cause deficiency in children between the ages of six months and four years. Infants are normally born with enough iron stores to last the first six months. The period of rapid growth in early adolescence is also a time of risk for iron deficiency. Adolescent girls who are growing rapidly and also menstruating are at a high risk of iron deficiency.
Pregnant women need only a normal amount of iron in early pregnancy. However, during the last trimester of pregnancy, iron needs exceed the iron present in even the best diet. During the last trimester, iron is removed from the mother’s iron stores to supply the growing fetus. There is normally a deficit of about 450 mg of iron during pregnancy—about 80 percent of this deficit takes place during the last six weeks of pregnancy.
Iron stores of this size are not common, so it is recommended by the World Health Organization that pregnant women take iron supplements along with folic acid supplements. It is ideal if a woman rebuilds her iron stores back up to about 500 mg before a subsequent pregnancy.
Populations with Increased Risk of Iron Deficiency
Infants under one year of age drinking cow’s milk Children aged six months to four years Adolescent girls Pregnant women in the last trimester Those with blood loss including blood donors Athletes.
Loss of large amounts of blood can result in iron deficiency anemia. About one half-quart of blood (500 ml) contains about 242 mg of iron. Blood bank donations of 500 ml should be carefully considered in populations considered at risk for iron deficiency anemia. Long periods of time can be required to replace the iron in large amounts of lost blood. People with chronic losses of blood can also be at risk for iron deficiency. Hookworm infections can cause chronic losses of blood that contribute to an increased risk of iron deficiency. Menstrual blood loss can also increase risk of iron deficiency if iron loss exceeds absorbed iron.
Athletes may be at risk for iron deficiency. The average requirement for iron may be approximately 30 to 70 percent higher for those who engage in regular intense exercise. Infants under one year of age may be at increased risk of iron deficiency if they drink cow’s milk. Cow’s milk consumed at this age has been associated with small losses of blood in the stool. The Food and Nutrition Board of the National Institute of Medicine recommends monitoring infants under one year of age for anemia if they drink cow’s milk.
Pregnant women need only a normal amount of iron in early pregnancy. However, during the last trimester of pregnancy, iron needs exceed the iron present in even the best diet. During the last trimester, iron is removed from the mother’s iron stores to supply the growing fetus. There is normally a deficit of about 450 mg of iron during pregnancy—about 80 percent of this deficit takes place during the last six weeks of pregnancy.
Iron stores of this size are not common, so it is recommended by the World Health Organization that pregnant women take iron supplements along with folic acid supplements. It is ideal if a woman rebuilds her iron stores back up to about 500 mg before a subsequent pregnancy.
Populations with Increased Risk of Iron Deficiency
Infants under one year of age drinking cow’s milk Children aged six months to four years Adolescent girls Pregnant women in the last trimester Those with blood loss including blood donors Athletes.
Loss of large amounts of blood can result in iron deficiency anemia. About one half-quart of blood (500 ml) contains about 242 mg of iron. Blood bank donations of 500 ml should be carefully considered in populations considered at risk for iron deficiency anemia. Long periods of time can be required to replace the iron in large amounts of lost blood. People with chronic losses of blood can also be at risk for iron deficiency. Hookworm infections can cause chronic losses of blood that contribute to an increased risk of iron deficiency. Menstrual blood loss can also increase risk of iron deficiency if iron loss exceeds absorbed iron.
Athletes may be at risk for iron deficiency. The average requirement for iron may be approximately 30 to 70 percent higher for those who engage in regular intense exercise. Infants under one year of age may be at increased risk of iron deficiency if they drink cow’s milk. Cow’s milk consumed at this age has been associated with small losses of blood in the stool. The Food and Nutrition Board of the National Institute of Medicine recommends monitoring infants under one year of age for anemia if they drink cow’s milk.
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