The basis of prevention of iron deficiency anemia during childhood and adolescence

Abstract

Anemia is a common and etiologically heterogeneous health problem both during the period of growth and development and in other phases of life. It is most often caused by a deficiency of iron, primarily due to inadequate nutrition, and less often as a consequence of various diseases. Particularly risk groups for the occurrence of anemia due to iron deficiency are children in the stages of rapid growth and development, i.e., in the first years after birth and during puberty. In accordance with the fact that it is better to prevent than to treat, in this article are given basic guidelines related to the prevention of this type of anemia in children and adolescents.