Signs and Symptoms of Anemia
Signs and Symptoms of Anemia
The most common sign of iron deficiency and other types of nutritional anemia is mild paleness of the skin, along with decreased pinkness of the lips, the lining of the eyelids, and the nail beds. A friend or relative who sees your child only occasionally may be more likely to notice this than you because the changes usually happen so gradually.
Other common signs of anemia may include:
- irritability
- fatigue
- dizziness, lightheadedness, and a rapid heartbeat
Depending on the condition causing the anemia, other signs and symptoms may occur, such as jaundice (yellow-tinged skin), dark tea-colored urine, easy bruising or bleeding, and enlargement of the spleen or liver.
In infants and preschool children, iron-deficiency anemia can result in developmental delays and behavioral disturbances, such as decreased motor activity and problems with social interaction and attention to tasks. Recent research studies indicate that behavioral problems may persist into and beyond school age if the iron deficiency is not properly treated.
Diagnosing Anemia
In many cases, doctors don’t discover anemia until they run blood tests as part of a routine physical examination. A complete blood count (CBC) may indicate that there are fewer red blood cells than normal. Other diagnostic tests may include:
- Blood smear examination: Microscopic examination of red blood cells after blood is smeared on a glass slide can sometimes indicate the cause of the anemia.
- Iron tests: These include total serum iron and ferritin tests, which can help to determine whether anemia is due to iron deficiency.
- Hemoglobin electrophoresis: This test identifies various abnormal hemoglobins in the blood and is used to diagnose sickle cell anemia and the thalassemias.
- Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy: This test can help determine whether cell production is happening normally in the bone marrow. It’s the only way to diagnose aplastic anemia definitively and is also used if it is suspected that a disease affecting the bone marrow (such as leukemia) could be the cause for the anemia.
In addition to running these tests, your child’s doctor may ask about a family history of anemia and your child’s symptoms and medications. This may lead the doctor to perform other tests to look for specific diseases that might be the underlying cause of the anemia.
