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In this Article

• Iron and iron deficiency facts*
• What is iron and why do we need it?
• What is iron deficiency and why is it a concern?
• What causes iron deficiency?
• Who is most at risk for iron deficiency?
• What are the signs and symptoms of iron deficiency?
• How is iron deficiency diagnosed?
• How is iron deficiency treated?
• Can iron deficiency be prevented?
• Babies
• Young children (aged 1-5 years)
• Adolescent girls and women of childbearing age
• Pregnant women
• How much iron do I need?
• What are dietary sources of iron?
• Dietary sources of Vitamin C
• Iron overload and hemochromatosis
• Patient Comments: Iron Deficiency - Signs and Symptoms
• Patient Comments: Iron Deficiency - Detection
• Find a local Doctor in your town
• Iron and Iron Deficiency Index

In general, you can eat a healthful diet that includes good sources of iron. A healthful diet includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fat free or nonfat milk and milk products, lean meats, fish, dry beans, eggs, nuts, and is low in saturated fat, trans fats, cholesterol, salt, and added sugars.

In addition to a healthful diet that includes good sources of iron, you can also eat foods that help your body absorb iron better. For example, you can eat a fruit or vegetable that is a good source of vitamin C (see table on Dietary Sources of vitamin C) with a food or meal that contains non-heme iron (see table below for Dietary Sources of Iron). Vitamin C helps your body absorb the non-heme iron foods you eat, especially when the food containing non-heme iron and the vitamin-C rich food are eaten at the same meal.

The following recommendations are for specific groups who are at greater risk for iron deficiency.

• If possible, breastfeed your baby for at least 12 months and starting at 4 to 6 months of age, give your baby plain, iron-fortified infant cereal and/or pureed meat. Just two or more servings a day can meet a baby's iron needs at this age. Meats should be home prepared or commercially prepared plain pureed (chopped until smooth in a blender) meats.
  
  
• When your baby is about 6 months of age, include a feeding per day of foods rich in vitamin C with foods that are rich in non-heme iron to improve iron absorption.
  
  
• If you can't breastfeed, use iron-fortified formula.
  
  
• Don't give low-iron milks (e.g. cow's milk, goat's milk, and soy milk) until your baby is at least 12 months old.
  
  
• If your baby was born early or small, talk to your doctor about giving iron drops to your baby.
  
  
• If your baby can't get two or more servings per day of iron rich foods (such as iron-fortified cereal or pureed meats), talk to your doctor about giving iron drops to your baby.