Iron Deficiency Caused by Milk Consumption: Milk Anemia

Understanding Iron-Deficiency Anemia and Milk Consumption

Iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) is a common type of anemia that occurs when the body’s iron levels drop too low to support the normal production of hemoglobin. This protein in red blood cells allows them to carry oxygen to organs and tissues. IDA is prevalent in childhood, and excessive cow milk consumption is one of the reasons. About 50% of the estimated 293 million cases of anemia in preschool children globally are due to iron deficiency.¹

Can Too Much Milk Cause Anemia?

Cow milk is a critical component of children’s diet in many parts of the world. Milk is an excellent source of calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D, and protein. However, drinking too much milk can cause numerous health complications, including iron-deficiency anemia. How does cow milk cause IDA?

One can develop iron-deficiency anemia in two ways: insufficient iron in their diet and slow, chronic bleeding in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Too much cow milk can lead to IDA via both mechanisms.

How Much Milk Should a Child Consume to Avoid Iron-Deficiency Anemia?

Cow milk is packed with essential nutrients that may benefit your child’s health. However, cow milk is also low in iron, which infants and toddlers need because they grow quickly. Too much milk can lead to iron deficiency and further problems, including IDA.

To avoid complications such as iron-deficiency anemia, you must wait until their second year of life to introduce cow milk to your child’s diet. Avoid cow milk altogether in your child’s first year because this is when they are most susceptible to intestinal blood loss.

If you are not breastfeeding your infant, use an iron-fortified formula to prevent IDA. For children over one, limit cow milk consumption to less than 24 oz per day and ensure that they eat a well-rounded diet containing foods rich in iron and vitamin C.

What Are the Symptoms of Milk Anemia?

Knowing what signs to look out for may be helpful if you’re concerned that your child might suffer from milk anemia. Below, we look at some of the most common symptoms of iron-deficiency anemia in infants and young children:

• Fatigue (lack of energy or getting tired quickly)
• Irritability (in a way that seems out of character)
• Pale skin or lack of color on the skin
• Tachycardia (elevated heart rate)
• A child with IDA may start eating peculiar non-edible items, such as ice or dirt

Puffiness and swollen hands, feet, and belly can also be signs of IDA in severe cases. Individuals will experience the symptoms of iron-deficiency anemia differently. Consult a medical professional for a proper diagnosis if you suspect your child has IDA.

What Are the Possible Complications of Milk Anemia?

Undiagnosed or untreated iron-deficiency anemia may lead to serious health complications. If iron levels are significantly reduced due to excessive cow milk intake, children with IDA may experience protein loss from the GI tract. This condition is known as protein-losing enteropathy.

While rare, this complication of IDA causes severe protein loss through the GI tract, resulting in low blood albumin—the main protein found in the blood—levels (hypoalbuminemia). Hypoalbuminemia causes fluid to leak out of the vessels into other tissues.

The leaking fluid can build up in the face, abdomen, legs, and other body parts, causing swelling (edema). The symptoms of iron-deficiency anemia and PLE resulting from excessive cow milk typically resolve after limiting cow milk consumption and adding oral iron supplements.

How Is Iron-Deficiency Anemia Treated?

A doctor can diagnose IDA with a blood test. If your child is diagnosed with this condition, there’s no need to panic. Iron-deficiency anemia is typically reversible. Specific treatment depends on the cause of the condition, severity, age, and other factors.

Here are some possible treatments for milk anemia:

• Milk intake restrictions—If a child is diagnosed with IDA, the first remedy a doctor will recommend is immediately reducing their cow milk intake
• Iron-rich diet—A well-rounded diet containing iron-rich foods such as red meat, leafy greens, legumes,