NUTRITION: Malaria Can Cause Weak Blood In Children

May 25, 2003

Do you know that malaria or anything that destroys or causes a deficiency in the formation or production of red blood cell can cause anemia?

And that anemia can have detrimental on your child’s school performance?
Anaemia is a common and widespread problem. According to research of those with anemia, 20% are women and 50 % are children. Because the symptoms of anaemia are similar to those of other illnesses, often anaemia goes undetected, compromising your child’s well being and schoolwork.
Anaemia is a reduction in either the number of red blood cell or the amount of haemoglobin in the blood. Haemoglobin is the component of a red blood cell that attaches to oxygen and transports it to the cells of the body including the brain.
When there is a reduction in the red blood cells, the amount of oxygen available to the cells of the body is reduced.
As a result, the cells have less energy available to perform their normal functions. Important processes such as muscular activity, cell building and repair slows down and become less efficient. And when the brain lacks oxygen thing and concentration become less clear.
Signs of developing anaemia may be loss of appetite, constipation, headaches, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. Established anemia can produce symptoms such as weakness, fatigue, coldness of the hands and feet, depression, dizziness, and seeing lack of interest in school work and other activities.

Cause of anaemia include
l Malaria . Malaria parasites destroy red blood cells.
l Deficiency of iron, vitamins B6 , B12 and folic acid can lead to anaemia.
l Intestinal parasites can cause anaemia, because they compete for nutrients in the intestines.
l Heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding or sudden significant blood loss can lead to anaemia.
l Habitual taking of tea within proximately 3-3 1/2 hours of eating a meal can lead to anemia. A natural occurring chemical in tea known as tannin can reduce the absorption of iron by as much as 75%.
l Soft drinks, chocolate and cocoa contain chemicals that can interfere with iron absorption.
l Whenever your child has or has had malaria, have him or her get a complete blood check-up to determine whether he or she needs iron supplement.
Do not give a child iron supplement without your doctor’s recommendation. Because if the child red blood cell count is normal, iron supplement may result in excess iron in the body. Excess iron is harmful to the liver, heart and may cause other serious problems.
l Have your child checked for intestinal worms, or antacids at the same time as iron supplements, they can interfere with iron absorption.
l Include in your family meals; peas, dried cooked beans, whole wheat bread, red meat, liver, kidney, fish, eggs, chicken, plenty of green leafy vegetables, green pepper, cabbage, oranges, tangerines, lime and lemon juice.
Since malaria is rampant lately, I strongly invite you to take this matter seriously. Ends

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