Hemoglobin norm in children

An essential component of a child’s general health is hemoglobin. It ensures that tissues and organs throughout the body receive enough oxygen through the blood. Maintaining normal hemoglobin levels is essential for normal development and growth.

Fatigue, weakness, and even more serious conditions like anemia can result from low hemoglobin levels. Yet, issues can also arise from having too much hemoglobin. It is crucial for parents and other caregivers to know what constitutes a normal hemoglobin level for children.

This post will explain what parents should watch out for and break down normal hemoglobin levels in children according to age. You can guarantee that your child remains healthy and active by keeping yourself informed.

Age	Hemoglobin level (g/dL)
Newborn (0-1 month)	13.5 – 21.5
Infant (1-2 months)	10.0 – 18.0
Infant (2-6 months)	9.5 – 14.0
Infant (6-12 months)	11.0 – 14.0
Toddler (1-5 years)	11.0 – 14.0
Child (5-12 years)	11.5 – 15.5
Teenager (12-18 years)	12.0 – 16.0

What is it

Everybody’s blood contains the protein known as hemoglobin. It is present in red blood cells and has a complicated structure made up of protein molecules connected to heme, which is a substance that contains iron.

Hemoglobin’s primary function in a child’s body is to transport gases, namely carbon dioxide from the tissues to the lungs and oxygen from the lungs to all tissues.

How it is determined

Children’s blood hemoglobin levels are measured using a clinical blood test. The examination’s outcomes also include the quantity of blood cells, their proportion to plasma, and other details. The unit of measurement for hemoglobin level is grams per liter.

See the video recording of Dr. Komarovsky’s program to learn more about hemoglobin and how it is measured:

What affects the level of hemoglobin in the blood

1. Age of the child. The maximum level is observed in newborns, but after a few weeks, hemoglobin begins to gradually decrease. That is why it is impossible to evaluate the indicator in the child"s blood test form without indicating the age. For example, a hemoglobin level of 110 g / l in a 2-year-old child is within the normal range, but for a 3-month-old baby, this indicator is a sign of anemia.
2. Baby nutrition. Babies who receive mother"s milk suffer from decreased hemoglobin less often than children who are bottle-fed. In children over one year old, nutritional deficiencies are the most common cause of changes in hemoglobin levels.
3. Health conditions. Hemoglobin decreases or increases with various diseases, which helps in their diagnosis.
4. Pregnancy and childbirth. Hemoglobin levels are affected by mother"s illnesses during pregnancy, blood loss during childbirth, features of umbilical cord ligation, birth date, multiple pregnancies and other factors.
5. Genetic factors. If the mother"s health is normal, but the hemoglobin level is always slightly below normal, this situation can be observed in the child as well.
6. Seasons. Less frequency and duration of walks in the autumn-winter period leads to a slight decrease in hemoglobin in the child at this time.

Table by age

The following hemoglobin indicators are thought to be typical for various age ranges:

In a fresh infant

After a week

After a month

After a year

Five years old

When ten years of age or older

Hemoglobin in premature babies

A baby born prematurely in the first month of life will have less hemoglobin than a baby born at full term. The lower bound of the norm for such a baby is 160 g/l. Hemoglobin levels in premature babies drop by one month, just like in full-term babies, with a lower limit of 100 g/l being the norm.

Keep in mind that anemia is more common in premature babies. This is because the baby’s internal organs are still immature. Furthermore, these infants are frequently diagnosed with severe forms of anemia during their first year of life, necessitating blood transfusions.

Hemoglobin is above normal

Why it increases

Higher hemoglobin levels are caused by:

• Dehydration, as a result of which the blood thickens. This condition is observed with intestinal infections with diarrhea and vomiting, diabetes, acute respiratory viral infections with fever, extensive burns and other pathologies.
• Chronic respiratory disease, in which respiratory failure develops, and the number of red blood cells increases compensatorily to provide the body with oxygen.
• Chronic heart failure, which in childhood is often caused by congenital heart disease.
• Erythrocytosis. This disease, also called polycythemia, is characterized by the activation of the formation of blood cells (mainly red) in the bone marrow.
• Kidney disease, in which excess erythropoietin is produced.

Living in the mountains and engaging in physical activity are two non-dangerous ways to raise hemoglobin levels. Long stays in dry, warm rooms are also associated with a slight increase in this indicator. Adolescents who smoke or use anabolic steroids (if they participate in sports) may have elevated hemoglobin levels.

View Dr. Komarovsky’s assessment of high hemoglobin levels here:

What symptoms to suspect

Many times, high hemoglobin levels show no symptoms at all, but when they do, the child may become lethargic, have low appetite, feel tired and drowsy, have elevated blood pressure, bruises, headaches, and other illnesses.

What is dangerous

Strong blood thickening can cause blood clots to form, which poses a risk to the brain’s and internal organs’ ability to function. A child’s high hemoglobin level can also cause splenic pathology and excess iron to accumulate in internal organs, impairing their ability to function. A child’s kidneys are particularly vulnerable to this kind of deposition.

How to reduce

First and foremost, parents and medical professionals should recognize that elevated hemoglobin is merely one of the signs of a disease, and their job is to determine the exact nature of the illness. Most babies with elevated hemoglobin levels have non-dangerous causes, so dietary modifications or air hydration can help lower the indicator.

Less iron-containing meals should be given to the child in favor of legumes, fish, seafood, and white chicken meat. The doctor will recommend the right course of action if an infectious disease or another pathology is the cause of the elevated hemoglobin levels.

There are situations when using blood-thinning medications is necessary, but only a doctor should prescribe these and determine the appropriate dosage.

Hemoglobin below normal

Why it falls

Iron deficiency is the most common cause of a decrease in hemoglobin levels in the blood because it can lead to the development of anemia, hence the term "iron deficiency."

Anemia in a pregnant woman can cause iron deficiency in newborns because the child did not receive enough iron and could not build up its reserves in his blood.

The premature introduction of complementary foods is the cause of iron deficiency in children older than six months. At this age, the baby has used up all of the iron reserves that were built up during intrauterine development. Furthermore, the infant gradually develops iron deficiency, which results in anemia, if the mother continues to feed the child exclusively breast milk or formula.

Iron deficiency is frequently brought on by an unbalanced diet in school-age children and adolescents, such as when the child follows a vegetarian diet. The fervor of teenage girls for weight-loss diets also poses a risk to the development of iron-deficiency anemia.

Other reasons for low hemoglobin include:

• Blood loss – acute (due to surgery or injury) or chronic (for example, frequent nosebleeds).
• Anemia caused by a lack of folic acid and vitamin B12.
• Hemolytic anemia, in which red blood cells are destroyed.
• Other blood diseases.
• Gastrointestinal diseases.
• Infectious diseases.
• Take certain medications.
• Autoimmune pathologies.
• Malignant tumors.

We advise parents to view the webinar recording that was recorded as part of the "MD Class" social project seminar. It looks closely at the issue of childhood anemia, including its causes and effects.

How low hemoglobin manifests itself

A child may have anemia if they exhibit any of the following symptoms:

• Rapid fatigue.
• Decreased appetite.
• Weakness and loss of strength.
• Dizziness.
• Pale skin tone.
• Sleep disturbances.
• Dry skin and its peeling.
• White spots and lines on the nails.
• Circles under the eyes.
• Irritability and capriciousness.
• Increased heart rate.
• Increased body temperature.

What is dangerous

A child suffering from anemia experiences a decline in their overall health, as their body weakens and their organs don’t get enough oxygen, which is particularly harmful to their brain tissue. A child with low hemoglobin may also be at risk for frequent infections and weakened immunity. There is a chance of delayed intellectual and physical development if such an issue is not resolved in a timely manner.

At what level is anemia diagnosed

The limiting hemoglobin values, at which a child’s anemia is not diagnosed, are as follows, per WHO recommendations:

Between five months and five years old

Between the ages of 5 and 11

When twelve years of age or older

The following signs help diagnose mild anemia:

Between five months and five years old

Between 100 and 109 g/l

Between the ages of 5 and 11

Between 110 and 114 g/l

When twelve years of age or older

Between 110 and 119 g/l

Hemoglobin levels between 70 and 99 g/l in children under five years old and 80 to 109 g/l in children over five years old are indicative of moderate anemia. Hemoglobin levels falling below 70 g/l in children under five years old and below 80 g/l in children over five years old are indicative of acute anemia.

Komarovsky on low hemoglobin

The well-known physician observes that iron deficiency is the most frequent cause of a drop in hemoglobin in a child’s blood. Komarovsky notes that he has frequently seen an infant diagnosed with anemia due to an iron deficiency at the age of five or six months in his practice settings.

Thus, the well-known physician suggests that all infants be checked at this age, particularly if the expectant mother had low hemoglobin during her pregnancy. Komarovsky advises measuring ferritin in addition to a standard blood test to ascertain whether the child has sufficient iron reserves or is nearing depletion.

Regarding therapy, the well-known pediatrician guarantees that if the child already has anemia, giving them iron-rich food won’t make it better. Komarovsky highlights that these kids need to take iron supplements and work with the attending physician to determine the best course of action. Iron from food can only be added to the diet as a supplement to such medication therapy.

View the video of Evgeny Komarovsky’s talk about a child with low hemoglobin below:

What to do when it decreases

Once you are certain that your child truly has anemia, you should investigate the cause as this will dictate the course of treatment. The child will be prescribed iron supplements, such as Maltofer or Aktiferrin, in the form of syrup or drops, if iron deficiency anemia is confirmed. These prescriptions are written for a considerable amount of time—at least one to two months.

Doctors consider a child under one year old’s hemoglobin level of less than 85 g/l to be critically ill and to need blood transfusions. A transfusion is administered to children older than one year of age when their hemoglobin falls to 70 g/l or lower.

A child’s healthy growth and development depend on having the proper amount of hemoglobin, a protein in the blood that carries oxygen. Age-related variations in hemoglobin levels are possible, but parents should be aware of the typical ranges to make sure their child is not at risk for diseases like anemia. These levels can be checked with easy blood tests, and any abnormalities should be treated with appropriate diet or medical advice. Parenting makes their children healthier and more active when they are aware of the hemoglobin norm.

Prevention of low hemoglobin

• During pregnancy, regularly take blood tests, to detect a decrease in hemoglobin in time and eliminate it. Also, a pregnant woman should take multivitamins as prescribed by a doctor.
• Do not refuse breastfeeding, after all, iron is absorbed from mother"s milk better than from the highest quality mixtures.
• During breastfeeding, a mother should monitor her diet, enriching it with products from which it will receive proteins, iron and all the vitamins necessary for hematopoiesis.
• Introduce complements the child in a timely manner, Indeed, by 6 months of age, the child is no longer enough iron accumulated in his body, as well as a mineral coming with breast milk.

• Do not leave the baby from the chest, As soon as he began to introduce complementary foods. Lactorerin from women"s milk will help the baby to absorb iron from new food.
• Do not introduce cow"s milk to children who have not turned 1 year old, And some pediatricians advise to postpone with such a product up to 1.5-3 years of age. His infantry consumption is a risk factor for the development of anemia, as well as rickets.
• Black tea should not be given to children under two years old, since it contains substances that bind iron.
• Walk daily with your child in the fresh air, since walks stimulate the formation of new blood cells.
• Regularly go with your child for examinations to the pediatrician and take all the scheduled tests to detect any disturbances in the general condition and blood of the baby in time.

Products that help maintain normal hemoglobin

• Veal, beef, lean pork, chicken, turkey and other types of meat, as well as offal.
• Beans, peas, lentils and other legumes.
• Buckwheat, barley, oatmeal and other cereals, as well as wheat dishes.
• Apples, persimmons, figs, pears and other fruits.
• Greens and various vegetables.
• Almonds, pistachios and other nuts.
• Dried apricots, prunes and other dried fruits.

It is crucial for children’s general health and development to maintain normal hemoglobin levels. The proper amount of hemoglobin helps the body’s tissues receive oxygen, giving your child the vitality and strength they need to develop normally.

It’s critical to recognize the warning signs of low or high hemoglobin, which include pale skin, exhaustion, and rapid breathing. Your child’s hemoglobin levels can be tracked with routine check-ups and blood tests, which can help identify any problems early on.

Don’t panic if your child has been diagnosed with abnormal hemoglobin levels or if you notice any concerning symptoms. The majority of problems are treatable with medication, iron supplements, and a healthy diet. Always seek advice from a medical expert to make sure your child receives the care they require.

Video on the topic

How to quickly increase hemoglobin levels in the blood? Products that increase hemoglobin

The danger of anemia and low hemoglobin in a child

Symptoms of anemia in children. Hematologist about iron deficiency

What is hemoglobin and what it should be in children? – Doctor Komarovsky

Low hemoglobin levels in a child. Parents about the important

Low hemoglobin – Dr. Komarovsky"s School