Signs and Symptoms of Anemia in Kids

One in every 5 children in the U.S. develops anemia at some point during childhood, according to the authors of a June 2010 article published in "American Family Physician." While there are many causes of childhood anemia, some common signs and symptoms are prevalent in children affected by the condition 1. If your child has signs or symptoms suggestive of anemia, schedule an appointment with your doctor for testing and appropriate treatment.

Common Signs and Symptoms

While no two cases of childhood anemia are the same, the disease has some common signs and symptoms.

Behavioral Signs and Symptoms

Another key indicator of anemia in children includes changes in their behavior. Some behavioral signs and symptoms that may indicate anemia include lack of energy, tiring easily or getting winded while at play, poor feeding in infants and difficulty concentrating.

Less Common Signs and Symptoms

Depending on the underlying cause, some children experience less common signs and symptoms of anemia. These may include:

• jaundice or yellowing of the skin
  
• nose bleeds
  
• easy bruising
  
• frequent infections
  
• fever
  
• blood in the urine or stool
  
• swelling in the abdominal region