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Iron deficiency in children: Prevention tips for parents

What are the risk factors for iron deficiency in children?

Infants and children at highest risk of iron deficiency include:

  • Babies who are born prematurely — more than three weeks before their due date — or have a low birth weight
  • Babies who drink cow's milk or goat's milk before age 1
  • Breast-fed babies who aren't given complementary foods containing iron after age 6 months
  • Babies who drink formula that isn't fortified with iron
  • Children ages 1 to 5 who drink more than 24 ounces (710 milliliters) of cow's milk, goat's milk or soy milk a day
  • Children who have certain health conditions, such as chronic infections or restricted diets
  • Children ages 1 to 5 who have been exposed to lead

Adolescent girls also are at higher risk of iron deficiency because their bodies lose iron during menstruation.

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