Blood carries oxygen and food to the tissues, and it also carries away waste-products to be dealt with by the body's excretory systems. So any problems affecting the blood will also affect the smooth running of the whole body. Anaemia is one such problem.

Blood contains three types of cells: red cells, white cells and platelets. Millions and millions of these cells float in a fluid called plasma which contains dissolved gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide), food and waste products.

The main purpose of the red cells is to carry oxygen to the tissues. They contain a substance called haemoglobin that combines with the oxygen breathed in via the lungs. Haemoglobin gives blood its red colour and when there is a lack of it in the red cells, anaemia results.

The signs and symptoms of anaemia

You cannot diagnose anaemia simply by looking at the colour of the skin - because the normal colour of babies' skin varies widely. Pale babies need not necessarily be anaemic - it is much more likely that most will have inherited pale skin from their parents.

A quick and more reliable way to test whether a baby is anaemic or not is to look at the inside of his lips, the tissue lining his eyes, the palms of his hands and his fingernails. If all of these are pale, he may very well be anaemic.

The only sure way to diagnose anaemia, however, is for your doctor to send a sample of blood to the laboratory for testing. This will also establish the degree of anaemia.

Causes of anaemia in a young baby

The most common cause, in this age group, is iron deficiency. The mineral, iron, is necessary for the formation of haemoglobin.

Premature babies are especially liable to iron-deficiency anaemia. This is because babies obtain a store of iron, sufficient to last them for the first six months of their life, from their mothers during the last two or three months of pregnancy. The premature baby has not had time to receive his full quota of iron. So he is anaemic for the first few months of his life - until he can obtain adequate stocks from his diet.

The older baby, that is, over six months, can also develop iron-deficiency anaemia if his diet does not contain adequate amounts of iron. Milk contains little iron, so it is important that babies from four to six months should receive solid food containing iron in addition to milk. Until this time they will normally have an adequate supply, obtained from their mother while still in the womb.

A young child who suffers repeated infections of any kind may also become anaemic, because infections interfere with the absorption and use of iron in the body. These effects, coupled with a poor appetite during the course of the infection, can deplete stocks of iron.

There are numerous other causes of anaemia, such as those due to congenital and genetic reasons, blood loss and disease. But these are rare and will be accompanied by other signs and symptoms best diagnosed by your doctor.

Treatment for iron-deficiency anaemia

Sufficient iron must be given to combat the anaemia. For the young baby, who is unable to obtain this essential mineral from his diet, this can be in the form of a medicine. In the older baby, foods rich in iron - such as liver, eggs and green vegetables - can he given. Iron supplements in the form of medicine may also be given if the anaemia is severe.

How to avoid iron-deficiency anaemia

Prevention of premature birth will prevent the iron-deficiency anaemia common in premature babies. An adequate intake of foods high in iron will also avoid a dietary iron-deficiency anaemia. Infections should be treated quickly and adequately to ensure that anaemia does not result.

Pallor in children is always a worrying symptom for mothers but, remember, most pale children are merely following the family tendency. The next commonest cause of pallor is iron-deficiency anaemia, and this is readily corrected. Leukaemia - high in the worrying minds of mothers - is very low on the list of actual causes of pallor. And other signs and symptoms of this serious disease would be much in evidence.

So, look at the family's complexion, look at the diet that you give your child, and seek your doctor's advice early if you are still not satisfied about the reason for your child's pallor.

( 10 - 16 years )

Acne

Anorexia Nervosa

Appendicitis

Glandular Fever

Headaches

Menstrual Problems

Osteochondrosis

Tics, or habit spasms

Warts and Verrucae

Common Childhood Illnesses 1

Common Childhood Illnesses 2