Iron supplements suitable for 19-month-old

[trytobebrave]

Hi, does anyone knpw of an iron supplement suitable for 19mo ds?

I took him to the GP the other day about eczema and mentioned while there that his big toe nails have always been odd - they curve upwards at the ends. GP said it was possibly a sign of iron deficiency and I should supplement to make sure he was getting enough iron. She said that she did not want to prescribe because that would mean she would have to register him as possibly anaemic and send him for a blood test which she felt was unnecessary to put him through as he is otherwise well and developing normally.

She told me just to go and buy a supplement in the pharmacy but I couldn't find any suitable for children under 3.

Any ideas?

[beammeupscotty]

we only had iron syrup from the docs as DGS was anaemic following blood tests. Im a bit surprised she said to supplement but Wellkid vitamin and mineral drops have iron if you want to go down that route.
Look up iron rich foods like broccali, leafy green vedge, beef, liver etc. only very small amounts are needed in the diet, and they are better absorbed from the food than from medicines. Even infant formula milks have iron added.

[colditz]

Minadex is fine for children under three. It's a pleasant orange flavoured syrup.

[trytobebrave]

Thanks so much, I will look for some minadex today.

[TheCrunchyside]

Hi Trytobebrave

Might be worth having some tests to see why ds is anaemic. does he dislike eating green vey and red meat?

my ds has developmental delay - at four he is more like a 2 year old. recently we found out he has anaemia and having googled I found out it can cause delays. Not saying this is the case for your child but might be worth getting the blood test done.

[jasperc163]

Another alternative - DD1 has had Spatone in her milk for nearly 4 years since she was a year old (on hospital dietician's advice). Its a much more available form of iron (basically very iron rich water).

[trytobebrave]

Hi, just seen these extra messages thanks.

I'll keep an eye on his development and push for extra tests if he does seem to be behind but at the moment I don't think he's much different to his peers. I hope you are able to get help for your ds now that he has been diagnosed thecrunchyside.

Jasper, thanks for that suggestion, I saw Spatone in Boots, I'll have another look.

[jasperc163]

trytobehave - i think it says age 2+ on Spatone box/website but dietician and paed said absolutely fine - its not medicine anyway. If DS has milk or OJ then you can put it in that very easily. Doesn't cause constipation etc like some iron supplements.

[LackaDAISYcal]

I would also suggest pushing for tests to rule out any condition that might be causing him to be anaemic.

Coeliac disease is quite common, and iron deficiency anaemia is one of the big side effects of that, as is calcium malabsorption along wiht the more obvious stomach/bottom effects.

[trytobebrave]

Thanks jasper I think I will get some and put it in his milk he's nearly 20 months so not that far off 2 anyway.

Thanks DAISY, the only symptom he has is the slightly odd toe nails which the GP said is usually normal in little ones but can be a sign of iron deficiency in adults which is why she suggested supplementing 'just in case'.

His development and nappies etc are all normal as far as I can see but if he develops any other symptoms I will go back and ask for more tests. Thanks for the heads up

[Rollmops]

Slice of good black pudding or a rye bread with nice pate' once a week would do the trick. YOu don't want to OD on iron; iron poisoning is a nsty thing - approx 3grams is lethal for 2year old.

[jasperc163]

trytobebrave - in case you read this. I have just discovered you shouldnt give iron supps at same time as dairy as if has big affect on absorption. So I am a really stuck now as she wont' drink anything else apart from water. If your ds will drink juice then you are ok and can put it in that (the vit c helps absorption).

[jasperc163]

just occurred to me that a bit odd that all formula co's sell follow on milk on basis of it having iron in it?

[scooterwitch]

on the subject of iron it also destroys other vitamins as well but they still sell multi vitamins with iron ? i would also opt for the iron rich veg aproach as opose to a vitamin supplement if the child will eat it