Health Tips

"Infants and children at highest risk of iron deficiency include:

·         Babies who are born prematurely -- more than three weeks before their due date -- or have a low birth weight

·         Babies who drink cow's milk before age 1

·         Breast-fed babies who aren't given complementary foods containing iron after the age 6 months

·         Babies who drink formula that isn't fortified with iron

·         Children ages 1 to 5 who drink more than 24 ounces (710 milliliters) of cow's milk, goat's milk or soy milk a day

·         Children who have certain health conditions, such as chronic infections or restricted diets

·         Children ages 1 to 5 who have been exposed to lead

·         Adolescent girls also are at higher risk of iron deficiency because their bodies lose iron during menstruation.