What are the symptoms of anemia in children?
Most symptoms of anemia are a result of the decrease of oxygen in the cells or “hypoxia.” Because red blood cells, as hemoglobin, carry oxygen, a decreased production or number of these cells result in “hypoxia.” Many of the symptoms will not be present with mild anemia, as the body can often compensate for gradual changes in hemoglobin. The following are the most common symptoms for anemia. However, each child may experience symptoms differently. The symptoms may include, but are not limited to, the following: • abnormal paleness or lack of color of the skin • increased heart rate (tachycardia) • breathlessness, or difficulty catching a breath (dyspnea) • lack of energy, or tiring easily (fatigue) • dizziness, or vertigo especially when standing • headache • irritability • irregular menstruation cycles • absent or delayed menstruation (amenorrhea) • sore or swollen tongue (glossitis) • jaundice, or yellowing of skin, eyes, and mouth • enlarged spleen or liver (splenomegaly, hepatomega
