Infants with chronic, severe iron deficiency have been observed to display increased fearfulness, unhappiness, fatigue, low activity, wariness, solemnity, and proximity to the mother during free play, developmental testing and at home (11–17).
In the brain, iron is bound to ferritin, the levels of which are decreased by iron deficiency and increased by iron supplementation. Low ferritin levels in childhood have been reported to affect the development of the central nervous system, leading to mental retardation and behavioral disorders.
Deficiency of iron is reported to cause several behavioural disturbances in children. These children are irritable, disruptive, have a short attention span and lack interest in the surroundings.
Several signs can signal if your child may have an iron deficiency: Overall lack of energy and fatigue. Pale appearance as hemoglobin levels drop. Nails that appear brittle, tongue that looks redder than normal and/or cracks on the side of the mouth.
As a result, beyond tell-tale physical and pathological clues – pale skin, shortness of breath, and/or frequent infections and illness – some behavioral signs that may indicate your child having low iron levels are: Unusual fatigue and moodiness. Pica or craving for non-nutritive substances (i.e., ice, dirt, etc.)
If a child is suffering an iron deficiency when the brain is developing, lasting abnormalities in the brain may occur if iron stores are not reversed quickly. Developing brain abnormalities can show up as the following: Hyperactivity followed by exhaustion. Frequent tantrums and melt downs.
When your body isn't getting enough oxygenation due to a lack of iron, you may find it hard to maintain focus and carry out your daily tasks. In addition, you may experience mood swings and irritability. Over time, in some cases, it may cause anxiety and depression.
First stage: Iron stores are depleted. In this stage, the supply of iron to make new hemoglobin and red blood cells is dwindling but hasn't yet affected your red blood cells. Second stage: When iron stores are low, the normal process of making red blood cells is altered.
Iron deficiency anemia most commonly affects babies 9 through 24 months old. Breastfed babies need less iron because iron is absorbed better when it is in breast milk. Formula with iron added (iron fortified) also provides enough iron.
If left untreated, iron-deficiency anemia can cause serious health problems. Having too little oxygen in the body can damage organs. With anemia, the heart must work harder to make up for the lack of red blood cells or hemoglobin. This extra work can harm the heart.
Altered levels of iron and zinc increase the susceptibility, aggravation and progression of ADHD. In children, the severity of iron deficiency has been linked to a 30% increase in inattentive, impulsive, and hyperactive behaviours.
Low iron in the brain is not so much a sign of ADHD, as ADHD is a clinical sign for low iron. Any child entering my office with ADHD is suspect for low iron status. Simple to screen, with labs, food intake, clinical signs, or all three.
Furthermore, fatigability and insomnia caused by chronic iron deficiency may have induced a state that is predisposed to anxiety, low concentration, and/or depression.
Specifically, iron plays an important role in how your body makes the neurotransmitters called serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine – all of them important in mental health. Research suggests a connection between low iron levels and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia, Levin and Gattari write.
The First stage is Iron Depletion in which Iron in body becomes low, The second stage is reduced Iron availability which effects and reduces the production of red blood cells. The Third Stage is Anemia due to the reduction of red blood cells and Haemoglobin.
Anemia and leukemia are both conditions that affect a person's blood. Although there is no evidence that anemia can cause leukemia, people with leukemia are more likely to develop anemia. This could be because leukemia, a form of blood cancer, causes anemia, which involves a reduction in red blood cells.
Common causes of irritability
Symptoms of severe vitamin B1 (thiamine) and B6 deficiencies may include irritability.
Iron deficiency anemia affects nearly a third of women around the world, and can result in dizziness, headaches and difficulty staying focussed.
Brain iron deficiency is associated with disruption of neurophysiological mechanisms that, within a social context that does not provide regular stimuli, compromises motor and cognitive development (e.g., impaired motor sequencing and bi-manual coordination, poor executive function, attention, and memory).
A lot of anger in children is usually a sign that they are frustrated or in distress. It's important to identify the source. There can be many underlying causes, including autism, ADHD, anxiety, or learning disorders.
Taken together, our findings highlight that elevation of serum transferrin level might be associated with a high risk of autism, suggesting a potential role of iron deficiency in autism development.
The most well-known consequence of iron deficiency is anemia. Anemia can cause developmental delays and behavioral disturbances such as decreased motor activity, social interaction and attention to tasks.