Many children in Ireland do not eat enough iron, which can affect their development. However simple changes to their diet can alleviate this problem, a dietician has said.

According to Siobhan O'Sullivan, a dietician at Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin, iron deficiency is the most common nutritional disorder in the world.

In fact, the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that iron deficiency accounts for up to 50% of anaemia cases in children. In preschool children, this figure increases to 80%.

Anaemia is a condition caused by a lack of red blood cells. It means that the body's tissues and organs cannot get enough oxygen. The most common type in Ireland is iron-deficiency anaemia and symptoms can include fatigue and paleness.

Ms O'Sullivan noted that studies suggest that iron-deficiency can be a cause of poor motor development in the first three years of life and can affect physical growth.

She also noted that the results of the National Preschool Nutrition Survey carried out last year indicate that almost one in four one-year-olds, one in 10 two-year-olds and one in 10 three-year-olds in Ireland are not eating enough iron.

Common symptoms of iron deficiency in children include paleness, irritability, tiredness and a poor appetite.

Ms O'Sullivan pointed out that infants and children require more iron than adults because of their rapid growth.

"These high intakes can be difficult to achieve, so particular attention needs to be paid to iron during weaning and childhood/adolescent years," she said.

She explained that dietary iron exists in two forms - haem and non-haem. Haem iron is more easily absorbed in the diet and sources include red meat, chicken, oily fish and eggs, particularly the yolk.

Ms O'Sullivan said that such sources of iron should be included in children's diets every day, with red meat being given ‘a minimum of three times per week'.

Non-haem iron is not as easily absorbed in the diet. Sources include fortified breakfast cereals, green leafy vegetables and wholemeal bread. Absorption of iron from these foods improves if taken with vitamin C, such as that found in citrus fruits and tomatoes.

Ms O'Sullivan noted that tannins found in tea and coffee can reduce iron absorption, therefore tea ‘is not a suitable drink for young children and is not recommended for those under 12'.

"Studies suggest that 12% of toddlers are given tea as a main drink. In teenagers, tea should not be given with or directly after a meal," she explained.

She noted that excessive cow's milk ‘is also a known contributor to iron deficiency anaemia' in children. This is because cow's milk is a poor source of iron, but some toddlers may drink large amounts, which can lead to them eating less iron-enriched food.

Toddlers should drink no more than a pint of cow's milk per day.

"Many children continue to fail to meet their daily iron requirements, however simple dietary adjustments, along with supplementation where indicated, can help alleviate this problem," Ms O'Sullivan added.

She made her comments in the World of Irish Nursing & Midwifery, the Journal of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation.