Iron is an essential mineral required for the formation of hemoglobin, a red blood cell protein that carries oxygen throughout the body. Iron levels must be maintained in balance; too much or too little can have dire consequences. Iron overload is the excessive buildup of iron and is a serious condition that can lead to hemochromatosis, a disease characterized by heart failure, liver disease, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, cancer and premature death. According to the Iron Disorders Institute, children diagnosed with iron overload can be effectively treated in order to prevent future complications.
Causes
Both genetic and environmental causes may contribute to an excess of iron in children. A number of genetic conditions will cause iron overload including inherited hemochromatosis, African iron overload, aceruloplasminemia, atransferrinemia as well as certain enzyme deficiencies. Genetic disorders that are treated with regular blood transfusions such as sickle cell anemia and thalassemia will also cause an excessive iron buildup as a result of the treatments, according to the Iron Disorders Institute. Additionally, excessive consumption of iron-rich food such as beef or the taking of iron injections or high amounts of supplemental iron can also cause iron overload in both adults and children.
Symptoms
Symptoms of iron overload in children can be highly variable, with some patients not displaying any symptoms at all. Chronic fatigue, skin color changes, joint pain, hair loss, delayed onset of puberty in girls, hypogonadism or small testicles in boys, elevated blood sugar and elevated liver enzymes are included in the list of possible iron overload symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC.
Diagnosis
Iron overload is diagnosed through blood testing that can be performed in a doctor's office or community laboratory. If a parent is diagnosed with iron overload with a potential genetic cause, it is important to have children tested as soon as possible. Children, having lived with the condition for less time, may have an iron disorder but have not yet begun to show symptoms. Treatments may and ideally should begin as soon as an iron overload disorder is discovered so as to prevent organ damage.
Treatments
Phlebotomy, or the removal of blood, is the first choice treatment for iron overload in children, according to the CDC. As iron will continue to build up in the child's body, ongoing phlebotomies must occur throughout the patient's life. Prior to phlebotomy, the child's physician must determine that he has sufficient blood levels in order to withstand blood removal. If this is found not to be the case, then another treatment option known as chelation therapy will be used to remove excess iron.
Recommendations
With regular monitoring and treatment, children with iron overload hemochromatosis can live long and healthy lives. It is recommended that patients have regular health check-ups, maintain normal exercise levels and receive either phlebotomy or chelation treatments as advised. The CDC also advises patients not to consume any vitamin supplements containing iron, to limit vitamin C supplementation and not to consume raw fish or shellfish.
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