It is important to ensure normal hemoglobin or Hb levels in children.
To determine normal Hb levels in children, an examination using a blood sample test is needed.
In addition to normal results, Hb results may also be too high or too low.
What causes Hb to be too high or too low? Here is the explanation.
What is Hemoglobin?
Source: Freepik
Previously,Parentsmust first know what Hb or hemoglobin is.
Hemoglobin is the main part of red blood cells which consists of a protein called globin and a compound called heme.
Heme consists of iron and pigments called porphyrins, which give blood its red color.
Hemoglobin plays an important role in carrying oxygen and carbon dioxide through the blood.
If hemoglobin is too low, cells in the body will not get the oxygen supply they need to survive.
However, if hemoglobin is too high, it is possible that there is another disease causing it.
Normal Hb Levels in Children According to Age
Source: Freepik
Various factors can affect a person’s hemoglobin levels including age, gender, and medical history.
Reporting fromHealthline, babies tend to have higher average hemoglobin levels than adults because they have higher oxygen levels in the womb and need more red blood cells to carry oxygen.
However, these high hemoglobin levels will start to decrease after a few weeks of birth.
In addition, Hb levels for girls and boys are also different. Here is a table of normal Hb levels in children.
|
|---|
| Age |
Normal Hb Level (g/dL) |
| Woman |
Man |
| 0-30 days |
13.4-19.9 |
13.4-19.9 |
| 31-60 days |
10.7-17.1 |
10.7-17.1 |
| 2-3 months |
9.0-14.1 |
9.0-14.1 |
| 3-6 months |
9.5-14.1 |
9.5-14.1 |
| 6-12 months |
11.3-14.1 |
11.3-14.1 |
| 1-5 years |
10.9-15.0 |
10.9-15.0 |
| 5-11 years |
11.9-15.0 |
11.9-15.0 |
| 11-18 years |
11.9-15.0 |
12.7-17.7 |
Causes of Hemoglobin Levels Above Normal Limits
Source: Freepik
High hemoglobin levels generally accompany high red blood cell counts.
Because hemoglobin is found in red blood cells, so the higher the number of red blood cells, the higher the hemoglobin levels and vice versa.
This condition is also called polycythemia.
High hemoglobin levels can cause dizziness, fatigue, easy bruising and other symptoms.
However, high hemoglobin levels should not be underestimated because they could be a sign of an underlying disease.
Even if after examination and someone with high Hb levels does not suffer from any disease, certain treatments need to be given to treat high hemoglobin levels.
Irregularly high hemoglobin levels can lead to complications such as blood clots.
High red blood cell counts and hemoglobin levels can indicate several diseases, such as:
- Congenital Heart Disease : This condition can make it difficult for the heart to pump blood effectively and deliver oxygen throughout the body and causes the production of extra red blood cells.
- Dehydration : Not having enough fluids can cause the red blood cell count to appear higher because there isn’t as much fluid to balance it out.
- Kidney Tumors : Some kidney tumors stimulate the kidneys to make too much erythropoietin, a hormone that stimulates red blood cell production.
- Lung Disease : If the lungs are not working effectively, the body may try to produce more red blood cells to help carry oxygen throughout the body.
- Polycythemia Vera : This inherited condition causes the body to produce extra red blood cells. A person is more likely to develop polycythemia if they have a family history of disorders that affect red blood cell count, such as altered oxygen sensing.
Those who live in the highlands also naturally have higher Hb than those who do not.
In addition, Hb levels can be higher if someone has recently received a blood transfusion .
Causes of Hemoglobin Levels Below Normal Limits
Source: Freepik
Low hemoglobin levels are usually seen with low red blood cell counts.
In many cases, a low hemoglobin count that is only slightly lower than normal does not significantly affect normal physical condition and does not cause any symptoms.
Decreased red blood cell or hemoglobin levels may be caused by inherited red blood cell defects, infections, diseases, certain medications, and/or deficiencies of certain vitamins or minerals in the diet.
While a more severe low hemoglobin count that causes symptoms may mean you are suffering from anemia.
Anemia is common in children and there are many types of anemia.
Anemia has 3 main causes, namely loss of red blood cells, inability to make enough red blood cells, and destruction of red blood cells.
Here are some types of anemia based on the cause:
-
Megaloblastic Anemia
A condition in which red blood cells are too large due to a deficiency of folate or vitamin B-12. One type of megaloblastic anemia is pernicious anemia, which is a problem absorbing vitamin B-12, which is essential for making red blood cells.
Some medical conditions that can cause a decrease in red blood cells or hemoglobin levels are:
1. Bone Marrow Disorders
For example, leukemia, lymphoma, or aplastic anemia can cause low red blood cell counts.
2. Kidney Failure
When the kidneys are not functioning properly, they do not produce enough of the hormone erythropoietin which stimulates the production of red blood cells.
3. Uterine Fibroids
Tumors that are usually not cancerous, but can cause significant bleeding, leading to lower red blood cell counts.
4. Conditions That Destroy Red Blood Cells
Examples include sickle cell anemia, thalassemia , G6PD deficiency, and hereditary spherocytosis.
A person is also more likely to have low hemoglobin levels if:
- Having a condition that causes chronic bleeding, such as a stomach ulcer, colon polyps, or heavy menstrual periods
- Deficiency of folate, iron, or vitamin B-12
- Is pregnant
- Being involved in a traumatic accident, such as a car accident
How to Test
Source: Freepik
The hemoglobin test measures the amount of hemoglobin in the blood and hemoglobin measurements are given in grams per deciliter (g/dL).
A person, whether a child or an adult, may undergo a hemoglobin test for several reasons, such as to monitor general health and to screen for diseases such as anemia.
A doctor will recommend a hemoglobin test if a person experiences weakness, fatigue, shortness of breath or dizziness.
These signs and symptoms may indicate anemia or polycythemia. A hemoglobin test can help diagnose these or other medical conditions.
For a hemoglobin test, a doctor or nurse will take a blood sample by pricking a fingertip or inserting a needle into a vein in the arm.
For infants, a sample can be obtained by pricking the heel. The blood sample is then sent to a laboratory for analysis.
If a patient has been diagnosed with anemia or polycythemia, the doctor will also use a hemoglobin test to monitor the patient’s condition and guide treatment.
What is Hemoglobin A1c?
When doing a blood test,ParentsYou may also see results for hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), sometimes called glycated hemoglobin.
The HbA1c test measures the amount of glycated hemoglobin, which is hemoglobin that has glucose attached to it, in the blood.
Doctors often recommend this test for people with diabetes to help provide a clearer picture of a person’s average blood glucose levels over the past 2 to 4 months.
Glucose, also called blood sugar, circulates throughout the blood and attaches to hemoglobin. Glucose will remain attached to hemoglobin for about 120 days.
The more glucose in the blood, the more likely a person is to have higher levels of glycated hemoglobin.
High HbA1c levels indicate that a person’s blood sugar has been high for several months.
In most cases, a person with diabetes should achieve an HbA1c level of 6.5 percent or less.
Those without diabetes tend to have HbA1c levels below 5.7 percent.
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Based on the information above, what is the Hb level in children?Parentsincluding normal?
Don’t forget to always give him complete nutritious food so that he doesn’t lack vitamins and minerals which can affect the hemoglobin levels in his blood.
Republished with permission from theAsianParent Indonesia
