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Health Issues Affecting Young Children. Anemia. What is Anemia?. A common blood disorder that occurs when there are low levels of red blood cells in the body Red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen to the tissues of the body
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What is Anemia? • A common blood disorder that occurs when there are low levels of red blood cells in the body • Red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen to the tissues of the body • Approximately 11% of all children under the age of 5 will experience this condition
Causes of Anemia • Hereditary Disorders (ex: sickle cell disease) • Chemical Exposure (ex: lead poisoning) • Some Cancers (ex: leukemia) • Unhealthy dietary patterns • Insufficient food intake • Significant blood loss • Infections
Signs and Symptoms • Excessive fatigue • Pale skin color • Irritability • Rapid heart beat • Loss of appetite • Dizziness/Headache • Swollen/sore tongue • Difficulty concentrating • Complaints of feeling cold
Treatment/Management • The treatment of anemia is determined by the cause. • Anemia caused by insufficient food intake will be treated by vitamin supplements along with a modified nutrient intake plan • If infection is the cause of anemia then the disease will decrease as the infection clears or once treated with medication from a doctor • In severe anemia cases treatment may require a blood transfusion, surgery, or bone marrow transplant
Teaching/Support Modifications • This health issue would not require any major teaching modifications. One of the signs/symptoms of anemia is difficulty concentrating therefore if I have a student who is anemic I might have to offer them additional time to complete their work and/or provide them with more one-on-one assistance. I would not be required to address this condition any further than making sure the child is comfortable at all time and they are receiving their medication, if any, at the appropriate times.
Resources • Marotz, L.R. (2011). Health, Safety, and Nutrition for the Young Child. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning • Kids Health from Nemours (2012). Anemia. http://lib.westfield.ma.edu/webapa.htm