Why does my baby have low Hb and paleness around the eyes?

Question

Hello doctor,

My ten-month-old baby has paleness around the eyes. Two days ago, we visited a hospital for his clubfoot routine check-up, and a staff member said his hemoglobin is low and advised giving him a multivitamin. We give Uvi-D drops, one drop daily. Do you recommend starting iron drops or syrup?

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Paleness around the eyes in a ten-month-old infant can be a sign of anemia, most commonly due to iron deficiency at this age, especially if complementary feeding is inadequate in iron. However, it is not advisable to start iron drops or syrup without confirming the hemoglobin level, as excess iron can also cause side effects.

Since a healthcare staff member suspected low hemoglobin but no laboratory test has been done, the correct next step is to get a complete blood count with hemoglobin level and, if possible, red cell indices. If anemia is confirmed, iron supplementation is recommended, usually as oral iron drops or syrup, with the dose calculated according to the child’s weight and hemoglobin level.

Multivitamins alone are not sufficient to treat iron-deficiency anemia. In the meantime, ensure the baby is receiving iron-rich complementary foods such as mashed lentils, egg yolk, meat puree, fortified cereals, and green vegetables appropriate for age, along with continued Vitamin D as prescribed.

I recommend arranging a blood test as soon as possible and consulting me to start iron therapy safely if needed and to identify any other causes of anemia. Early treatment is important for proper growth and brain development. Investigations to be done include a complete blood count.

I hope you are satisfied with my answer. For further queries, you can consult me at iCliniq.

Thank you.