Final answer:
Infants need additional iron starting from 3-4 months to prevent iron deficiency anemia, using formula or supplemental foods like fortified cereal. Different age groups and sexes, especially pregnant women, have specific iron needs, and good dietary sources include shellfish, red meats, and fortified cereals.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to the dietary iron needs of infants and the importance of ensuring that they get enough iron in their diet as they grow.
Iron is an essential nutrient that helps in the production of hemoglobin, which carries oxygen in the blood. Infants' stored iron begins to decrease at 3-4 months; thus, they need additional iron, which should ideally come from formula or supplemental foods starting at 4-6 months.
It's important to introduce iron-rich foods, such as fortified cereals, to an infant's diet to prevent iron deficiency anemia, which can lead to developmental issues.
Children and adolescents have varying iron needs based on their age.
For example, boys and girls between the ages of 9 and 13 should get 9 mg of iron daily, while older boys (14-18 years) need 11 mg and older girls (14-18 years) need 15 mg due to menstruation.
Pregnant women have the highest requirement at 27 mg daily. Good sources of iron include shellfish, red meats, seeds, nuts, legumes, and fortified breakfast cereals.
Combining iron-rich foods with vitamin C can increase absorption.
Anemia, a common issue among children, adolescent girls, and nursing mothers with hemoglobin levels falling between 5 to 9 g/100 ml, can significantly impact growth, appetite, and activity levels.
Iron supplements, such as ferrous sulfate tablets or ferrous ammonium citrate mixtures, are often prescribed for treatment.
However, for a balanced iron intake, dietary sources are preferable, and the guidelines provided help prevent iron deficiency.