Normal hemoglobin levels by age

Children can often appear tired or irritable, but when these symptoms become an ongoing problem, it could be a sign of something more serious. Fatigue, pale skin, and even a bad mood can be signs of anemia — especially in babies who were born preterm, with low birth weight, or whose cords were clamped immediately after being born. Anemia is the most common nutritional deficiency in the world, and anemia caused by iron deficiency and other problems can be concerning not only for the symptoms they cause but also for the long-lasting developmental effects that can follow. This article will help you understand what anemia is and the different forms of this condition, as well as what to expect if your child develops anemia. Anemia occurs when the number of red blood cells in a person’s blood is lower than normal or when the amount of hemoglobin in the red blood cells is too low. Hemoglobin is a protein in your red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout your body and removes carbon dioxide. Low hemoglobin levels could mean that too little oxygen or too much carbon dioxide is in your body. There are many ways anemia can develop. Below are some of the different types of anemia, and an explanation of how each causes symptoms. Iron deficiency anemia Microcytic anemia These types of anemias are defined by the size of your While iron deficiency is a leading cause of this type of anemia, other causes can include: • acute or chronic bleeding • increased body demand for iron, such as...

• Lee AJ, Kim SG, Nam JY, Yun J, Ryoo HM, Bae SH. Blood Res. 2021 Nov 22. doi:10.5045/br.2021.2021089 • Tabasi S, Parkhideh S, Roshandel E, Karami S, Saeedi A, Jabbari A, Hajifathali A. Caspian J Intern Med. 2021 Fall;12(4):544-550. doi:10.22088/cjim.12.4.544 • Nakamori E, Shigematsu K, Higashi M, Yamaura K. Geriatr Orthop Surg Rehabil. 2021 Nov 19;12:21514593211060575. doi:10.1177/21514593211060575 • Nursing Critical Care. 2020;15(4):34-35. doi:10.1097/01.CCN.0000660408.76985.53 When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting

Anemia in children is commonly encountered by the family physician. Multiple causes exist, but with a thorough history, a physical examination and limited laboratory evaluation a specific diagnosis can usually be established. The use of the mean corpuscular volume to classify the anemia as microcytic, normocytic or macrocytic is a standard diagnostic approach. The most common form of microcytic anemia is iron deficiency caused by reduced dietary intake. It is easily treatable with supplemental iron and early intervention may prevent later loss of cognitive function. Less common causes of microcytosis are thalassemia and lead poisoning. Normocytic anemia has many causes, making the diagnosis more difficult. The reticulocyte count will help narrow the differential diagnosis; however, additional testing may be necessary to rule out hemolysis, hemoglobinopathies, membrane defects and enzymopathies. Macrocytic anemia may be caused by a deficiency of folic acid and/or vitamin B 12, hypothyroidism and liver disease. This form of anemia is uncommon in children. Erythropoietin is the primary hormone regulator of red blood cell (RBC) production. In the fetus, erythropoietin comes from the monocyte/macrophage system of the liver. Postnatally, erythropoietin is produced in the peritubular cells of the kidneys. Key steps in red blood cell differentiation include condensation of red cell nuclear material, production of hemoglobin until it amounts to 90 percent of the total red blood cel...

Anemia is defined as a hemoglobin level of less than the 5th percentile for age. Causes vary by age. Most children with anemia are asymptomatic, and the condition is detected on screening laboratory evaluation. Screening is recommended only for high-risk children. Anemia is classified as microcytic, normocytic, or macrocytic, based on the mean corpuscular volume. Mild microcytic anemia may be treated presumptively with oral iron therapy in children six to 36 months of age who have risk factors for iron deficiency anemia. If the anemia is severe or is unresponsive to iron therapy, the patient should be evaluated for gastrointestinal blood loss. Other tests used in the evaluation of microcytic anemia include serum iron studies, lead levels, and hemoglobin electrophoresis. Normocytic anemia may be caused by chronic disease, hemolysis, or bone marrow disorders. Workup of normocytic anemia is based on bone marrow function as determined by the reticulocyte count. If the reticulocyte count is elevated, the patient should be evaluated for blood loss or hemolysis. A low reticulocyte count suggests aplasia or a bone marrow disorder. Common tests used in the evaluation of macrocytic anemias include vitamin B 12 and folate levels, and thyroid function testing. A peripheral smear can provide additional information in patients with anemia of any morphology. Anemia is usually classified based on the size of RBCs, as measured by the mean corpuscular volume (MCV). Anemia can be microcytic ...