Worried your toddler isn’t getting enough iron? Here’s what parents need to know

DragonImages/Getty The devastating recent deaths of three toddlers in Queensland, linked to low iron levels, have understandably left many parents wondering whether their own child is getting enough iron.

The good news is that life-threatening iron deficiency is uncommon.

But being low in iron is one of the most common nutrient deficiencies in young children .

So it’s worth understanding why iron matters and how to tell if they’re getting enough.

There are simple ways to help children meet their iron needs.

Why is iron important? Iron helps carry oxygen around the body and plays an important role in brain development, growth, immune function and learning.

If a child doesn’t get enough iron, their iron stores gradually become depleted.

Over time this can lead to iron deficiency anaemia , where their blood doesn’t have enough haemoglobin (an iron-rich protein) to carry oxygen efficiently.

Iron deficiency during infancy and early childhood has also been associated with poorer cognitive, behavioural and motor development .

So prevention and early recognition are important.

What are the signs your child might have low iron? The early signs of low iron can often be challenging to identify, as toddlers can have these symptoms for a range of reasons.

Children with low iron may seem : • more tired than usual • pale • irritable • less interested in eating • slower to gain weight or grow • less energetic when playing.

Some children also develop pica , where they crave or chew non-food items such as dirt or paper.

Having one or more of these symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean your child has low iron.