The World Health Organization states that iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency worldwide. Children are particularly at risk for iron deficiency, which is why most formula manufacturers supplement their products with iron. Too much iron, however, can lead to iron poisoning, which can cause loose stools and other adverse effects in your infant.
Iron Poisoning
Your baby only needs 0.27 mg of iron per day if he is younger than 7 months, or 11 mg of iron per day if he is 7 months old to 1 year old. Giving your child too much iron, such as by giving him an iron supplement when he already is obtaining enough iron through food, can cause nausea, stomach cramps, diarrhea and gastrointestinal discomfort. If you continue giving your baby an overdose of iron, he may develop hemochromatosis, a condition characterized by dizziness, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, headache, shortness of breath, weight loss or a gray cast to the skin.
Good Sources of Iron for a Baby
Breast-fed babies probably obtain their daily dose of iron from breast milk because the iron in breast milk is the most easy absorbed for babies. If you are bottle feeding your infant, feed her an iron-fortified formula. These formulas typically contain 4 to 12 mg of iron, which over several servings will more than take care of your baby's need for iron, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. When your baby begins eating solid foods at about 6 months of age, you can feed her iron-fortified cereal as well.
When Supplements are Needed
Despite the ready availability of iron in most foods, some children do become anemic, which is a condition in which the child's red blood cells are carrying a decreased amount of hemoglobin. This condition is often caused by an iron deficiency. Symptoms of anemia include fatigue, irritability, lack of appetite and pale skin or lips. If your child has anemia, you may be asked to give her an iron supplement. Give your child the supplement exactly as directed to prevent iron poisoning.
When to Seek Medical Advice
If your child displays symptoms of iron poisoning from taking his iron supplement as directed, contact your pediatrician immediately. His condition requires prompt medical evaluation. However, if you believe that your child has overdosed on iron, such as by eating iron pills, contact poison control immediately. He may require immediate medical attention to prevent kidney damage or even death. If you believe that your child has anemia resulting from low iron intake, make an appointment at your earliest convenience to have your child evaluated.
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