Fundamentals of Nursing Q 86
An eleven-month-old infant is brought to the pediatric clinic. The nurse suspects that the child has iron-deficiency anemia. Because iron deficiency anemia is suspected, which of the following is the most important information to obtain from the infant’s parents?
A. Normal dietary intake.
B. Relevant socio-cultural, economic, and educational background of the family.
C. Any evidence of blood in the stools.
D. A history of maternal anemia during pregnancy.
Correct Answer: A. Normal dietary intake.
Iron deficiency anemia occurs commonly in children 6 to 24 months of age. For the first 4 to 5 months of infancy iron stores laid down for the baby during pregnancy are adequate. When fetal iron stores are depleted, supplemental dietary iron needs to be supplied to meet the infant’s rapid growth needs. Iron deficiency may occur in the infant who drinks mostly milk, which contains no iron, and does not receive adequate dietary iron or supplemental iron.
Option B: Daily dietary intake is much more related to the diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia than is the socio-cultural, economic, and educational background of the family. The cause of iron-deficiency anemia varies based on age, gender, and socioeconomic status. Iron deficiency may result from insufficient iron intake, decreased absorption, or blood loss.
Option C: Iron deficiency anemia in an infant is very unlikely to be related to gastrointestinal bleeding. In developing countries, a parasitic infestation is also a significant cause of iron deficiency anemia. Dietary sources of iron are green vegetables, red meat, and iron-fortified milk formulas.
Option D: Anemia during pregnancy is unlikely to be the cause of the infant’s iron deficiency anemia. Fetal iron stores are drawn from the mother even if she is anemic. In neonates, breastfeeding is protective against iron deficiency due to the higher bioavailability of iron in breast milk compared to cow’s milk; iron deficiency anemia is the most common form of anemia in young children on cow’s milk.