Britannica Sources used in this answer

How do iron deficiency and an inadequate diet cause anemia in children?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

blood disease Peripheral blood smear revealing histopathologic features indicative of a blast crisis in a case of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). Blast crisis occurs when one-fifth to one-third of the cells in the blood or bone marrow are immature blood cells, or blast cells. This phase of CML is characterized by fever, weakness, and an enlarged spleen.

In children, iron deficiency is a primary cause of anemia because the body requires significant amounts of iron to support the rapid growth and the expanding pool of circulating hemoglobin necessary for a developing body.12

When dietary intake is insufficient to meet these high demands, the bone marrow is forced to produce red blood cells that are smaller than normal and poorly filled with hemoglobin, a condition known as hypochromic microcytic anemia. This vulnerability is particularly acute during late infancy and early childhood, as the iron stores present at birth become exhausted and the child’s diet may rely heavily on milk, which is a poor source of iron.12

Beyond simple dietary insufficiency, the condition can be exacerbated by factors such as hookworm infestation, which causes chronic intestinal blood loss. If left untreated, this deficiency can negatively impact a child's growth, development, behavior, and learning ability.12