The Minimum Daily Iron Requirement for Kids

Iron is a mineral that is essential for humans to grow and develop, although too much can be dangerous and even cause death, according to the National Institutes of Health. Iron is a necessary component of many of the body̵7;s proteins and enzymes. It is particularly important for oxygen transportation, as the hemoglobin in your body̵7;s red blood cells uses iron to transport oxygen to the body̵7;s cells. The need for iron differs according to age.

  1. Babies and Breastfeeding

    • Iron is essential for growth and development.

      Iron needs vary according to age and gender, according to the NIH. A baby is usually born with an adequate supply of iron to last the first 4 to 6 months of life, so supplemental iron is unnecessary and a recommended dally allowance has not been established for this age group. Breastfed babies absorb more of the iron in breast milk than babies who are fed formula, according to the NIH, which is one reason infants should be breast fed until at least six months of age. A baby who is formula-fed should receive iron-enriched formula.

    Iron Needs Throughout Childhood

    • Iron helps the body transport oxygen to muscle.

      A baby needs about 11 milligrams of iron a day from the age of 7 to 12 months, according to the NIH. At 12 months, iron needs drop slightly, to 7 milligrams a day. At about 4 years of age, iron needs increase to 10 milligrams a day and remain there until 9 years of age, when they again drop slightly, to 8 milligrams a day. From infancy to age 13, iron needs remain the same for both boys and girls. Most children who eat meat will get sufficient iron in their diets, but parents of vegetarian children should pay close attention to their intake of dietary sources of iron.

    Puberty

    • At puberty, iron requirements change. Boys need more iron because of rapid growth and to build developing muscle. Girls begin menstruating and monthly blood loss also means monthly iron loss. By age 14, the NIH says boys need 11 milligrams of iron a day and girls need 15 milligrams. Kids Health notes that kids who engage in intense exercise in the teen years may lose some iron in the process and may need more iron than the average child.

    Ensuring Adequate Iron Intake

    • Iron comes in two forms: heme and non-heme. Heme iron comes from hemoglobin, and is found in foods of animal organ, such as meats, fish and poultry. Non-heme iron comes from plant foods such as lentils and beans. The body is better able to absorb heme iron than non-heme iron. Your body will usually absorb more iron when body stores are low. Vitamin C with a meal will increase iron absorption, while tannins from tea, calcium and phytates found in whole grains can decrease iron absorption. Foods such as liver, red meats, oysters and iron-fortified cereals are good sources of iron, as are soybeans, lentils, kidney beans and spinach.

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