Iron Deficiency In Children
Iron Deficiency in Children
Iron deficiency in children is common, often overlooked, and can affect far more than just energy levels.
At The Iron Infusion Clinic, we are increasingly seeing referrals from paediatricians, GPs, developmental specialists and child mental health clinicians for children with iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia.
As awareness grows, more families are recognising that low iron can affect sleep, behaviour, learning, concentration and overall wellbeing in children and adolescents.
How common is iron deficiency in children?
Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutritional deficiencies in childhood.
Research suggests that approximately one in five children under the age of 10 may be iron deficient.
In some cases, iron deficiency may begin very early in life. Babies rely heavily on maternal iron stores during pregnancy, and infants born to mothers with untreated iron deficiency may themselves start life with lower iron reserves.
Symptoms of iron deficiency in children
Children often present very differently to adults.
Adults with iron deficiency commonly describe severe fatigue and exhaustion. Children, however, are often remarkably resilient and symptoms may be subtle or mistaken for behavioural or developmental issues.
Common symptoms can include:
- Poor sleep
- Restless sleep or restless legs
- “Growing pains” or leg discomfort
- Poor concentration
- Difficulty focusing at school
- Reduced memory and learning performance
- Behavioural difficulties
- Emotional dysregulation or poor coping skills
- Reduced appetite or picky eating
- Weight loss or poor weight gain
- Fatigue or reduced stamina
Teachers are sometimes the first to notice symptoms, reporting that a child appears tired, distracted, or has difficulty concentrating in class.
Iron deficiency and ADHD / ASD
Increasingly, developmental paediatricians and child mental health specialists are assessing iron levels in children with:
- ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)
- ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder)
- AuDHD and other neurodevelopmental conditions
These conditions are complex and influenced by many developmental, genetic and environmental factors. However, iron deficiency can contribute to worsening symptoms such as:
- Inattention
- Poor sleep
- Emotional dysregulation
- Restlessness
- Behavioural difficulties
Correcting iron deficiency may improve some of these symptoms and can sometimes make other therapies easier to manage.
At The Iron Infusion Clinic, we work closely with paediatricians and developmental specialists as part of a broader multidisciplinary approach.
Why do children become iron deficient?
There are many reasons children may develop low iron stores.
Common contributors include:
- Rapid growth during childhood and adolescence
- Puberty and menstruation in adolescent girls
- High levels of physical activity or sport
- Extended breastfeeding without adequate dietary iron intake
- Excessive cow’s milk consumption
- Poor dietary iron intake
- Previous low iron stores from infancy
Adolescent boys can also become iron deficient during rapid growth spurts, particularly between 15 and 18 years of age.
Why iron tablets can be difficult for children
Treating iron deficiency in children can be challenging.
Many children struggle with:
- Iron tablet side effects
- Constipation
- Stomach upset
- Taste intolerance to liquid iron
- Refusal to take oral iron regularly
Unfortunately, oral iron treatment often needs to continue for many months to adequately restore iron stores.
Iron infusions for children
At The Iron Infusion Clinic, we routinely provide iron infusions for children aged 2 years and above when clinically appropriate.
Iron infusions may be considered when:
- Oral iron is not tolerated
- Iron levels fail to improve adequately
- Symptoms are significant
- Rapid correction of iron deficiency is desired
Our team has extensive experience caring for children and adolescents in a calm, supportive and family-friendly environment.
Specialist-led paediatric iron care
The Iron Infusion Clinic is one of Australia’s largest specialist-led iron infusion services.
Dr Joel Collins and our clinical team regularly assess and manage iron deficiency in children, adolescents and young adults, working closely with GPs, paediatricians, developmental specialists and families.
If your child is experiencing poor sleep, fatigue, behavioural changes, concentration difficulties, restless legs, headaches, poor appetite or declining school performance, it may be worthwhile discussing iron testing with your healthcare provider or our clinic.