Effects of iron and zinc deficiency in children

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Due to many important and indispensable roles for the body, iron and zinc deficiency in children will greatly affect the physical and mental development of children.

1. What role does iron and zinc play in the child's body?

Minerals are micronutrients, although they only need a very small amount, they play an indispensable role in health, especially for children. Among the minerals that play the most important role in children's development, iron and zinc cannot be ignored. Iron is a constituent of hemoglobin in red blood cells, which helps transport oxygen from the lungs to the organs in the body and transports carbon dioxide from the tissues back to the lungs. Iron is also a component of myoglobin, a protein that stores and supplies oxygen to working muscles. In addition, iron plays an important role in the immune system because it participates in the construction of many immune system enzymes. The amount of zinc in the body is about 2-3g; widely distributed in the testicles, then hair, bones, liver, kidneys, etc. Although it only accounts for a few millionths of the body weight, zinc has an extremely important biological role. Zinc participates in the composition of many enzymes, is an indispensable catalyst in the process of DNA replication. Therefore, zinc is especially important in the development of height and weight of children. Zinc helps build a healthy immune system by stimulating the growth of B lymphocytes. Zinc is also an essential mineral for the development of memory centers in the brain. In addition, zinc also helps metabolize and absorb many other trace elements such as copper, manganese, magnesium, ...

2. Effects when children lack iron and zinc

Due to many important roles in the body, when children lack iron and zinc due to reasons such as inadequate dietary intake, children have diseases that interfere with the absorption and metabolism of minerals, ... will have a significant impact on children's health.
2.1. Effects of iron deficiency in children Iron-deficient children often have no specific symptoms until iron deficiency anemia develops. The symptoms of iron deficiency anemia in children are:
The child's skin is pale, especially on the palms, soles, ears, eyelids; pale mucous membranes, pale tongue, smooth due to loss or wear of tongue spines. Children's hair, hair and nails are dry and brittle. Children are tired, slow, or sleepy, less focused, less playful, irritable, have anorexia. If a child has severe iron deficiency anemia, he or she may have symptoms of dizziness, lightheadedness, shortness of breath when exercising, digestive disorders, weight loss, etc.

Children with severe long-term iron deficiency can lead to dangerous complications such as:
Increased risk of infections, memory loss, poor concentration in learning, reduced mobility. Swollen hands and feet, arrhythmia, difficulty breathing. “Pica syndrome” is a behavioral disorder that can occur when children are iron-deficient. Children with this syndrome may crave non-food items such as clay, paint, dirt, etc., which pose a risk of body toxicity, physical and cognitive impairment. 2.2. Effects of zinc deficiency in children The feature of zinc is that it is not stored in the body, has a short biological half-life in internal organs (12.5 days), so it is easy to be deficient if the diet does not provide enough. Zinc deficiency will affect the growth and metabolism of children. Children with zinc deficiency will face risks such as: Anorexia, unexplained vomiting, difficulty sleeping, restless sleep, little sleep. Children's physical and mental development is significantly reduced, learning ability is reduced. Hair loss, nail dystrophy, weakened immune system increases the risk of respiratory infections, diarrhea; damage to skin and mucous membranes, slow healing of wounds,... Decreased vision, increased risk of myopia, hearing disorders. Children with zinc deficiency also have an increased risk of autism.

3. Solutions to prevent children from iron and zinc deficiency

Many community studies show that iron deficiency anemia is often associated with zinc deficiency. Communities with iron-deficient diets are also often zinc-deficient. The main cause of this condition is poor meal quality, not a variety of foods, and little animal origin.
To prevent children's deficiency of iron and zinc as well as other micronutrients, parents need to implement:
Diet with a variety of foods, increasing the use of foods rich in iron and zinc such as meats. beef, pork, lamb, goat meat,...), seafood (fish, shrimp, crab, oysters, oysters,...), legumes, eggs, milk, whole grains, assorted vegetables (broccoli, spinach, beets, ...) Use foods fortified with iron and zinc such as biscuits, cereals, formula, nutritional powder, flour, seeds seasoning.... Ensure hygiene during processing and when feeding children, eat cooked food and drink boiling water to prevent helminth infections and diarrhea.

When children show signs of iron deficiency, parents need to take the child to a medical facility to be examined by a doctor. If the child's iron and zinc deficiency is severe, dietary supplements are not enough, the doctor may prescribe iron and zinc-containing drugs with the appropriate amount for the child's condition and weight. Along with that is the treatment of medical conditions (if any) that affect the metabolism and absorption of iron and zinc.
Iron and zinc deficiency can cause dangerous complications for children's health and mental health, so parents need to observe and timely supplement this important source of vitamins.
In addition to dietary supplements, parents can give their children supportive foods containing zinc and essential micro-minerals such as Lysine, chromium, selenium, vitamin B1... to help fully meet their needs. nutritional requirements in children. At the same time, these essential vitamins also support digestion, enhance nutrient absorption, help improve anorexia, and help children eat well.
>> Parents can learn more: What disease does zinc deficiency cause? When to take a zinc supplement? , The article was professionally consulted with Master, Doctor Vu Quoc Anh - Pediatrician - Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Danang International General Hospital.
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