Are iron supplements risk-free for children? How excess iron can be problematic

Iron is an essential nutrient for humans because it enables the body to produce hemoglobin, which carries oxygen from the lungs into the red blood cells. Iron also aids in the production of hormones. It is found in foods and there are over-the-counter supplements that contain iron in abundance. While we know prescription iron supplements are safe for adults, how safe are they for children?

Iron is an important nutrient, especially for children who are growing because they need it for their psychological development. Iron deficiency can slow that down, and children may become socially withdrawn and have shorter attention spans. Some other symptoms may include fatigue, cold hands and feet, pale skin, slow growth, poor appetite, and behavioral problems.

The daily iron intakes recommended for children, according to WebMD, are:

Birth to 6 months: 0.27 milligrams

7 to 12 months: 11 milligrams

1 to 3 years old: 7 milligrams

4 to 8 years: 10 milligrams

9 to 13 years old: 8 milligrams

Teenage boys need 11 mg of iron per day and teenage girls about 15 mg per day. If a girl’s monthly periods are heavy, she may need more due to a large amount of blood loss. Consult the doctor if your child shows symptoms, but do not try to give them iron supplements without a doctor’s approval.

If the iron supplements lead to an overabundance of iron, this can catalyze the production of hydroxyl radicals through what is known as the “Fenton reaction”. This can lead to hemochromatosis. According to Mayo Clinic, hemochromatosis is a condition in which the body absorbs excess iron from food and stores it in organs such as the heart, liver and pancreas. Too much iron can lead to heart problems, liver disease and diabetes.

Since the body is unable to remove iron from the body easily, treatment involves removing blood from the body on a regular basis.

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