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Teens and Anemia

Kompas.com - Adolescent high risk of anemia, especially iron deficiency. An estimated 25 percent of Indonesian teenagers have anemia. Although anemia is not contagious but very dangerous because it can affect the health of their babies future candidates.

"When as a teenager anemia, during pregnancy and giving birth will also be anemia. Whereas iron is essential for brain development. As a result, the babies will be born with intelligence below average," explained dr.Soedjatmiko, Sp.A (K ), in a seminar on adolescent health in Jakarta (16 / 6).

Anemia occurs when red blood cell count decreases. With the reduction in hemoglobin or red blood was, of course the ability of red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the body decreases. As a result, our body gets less oxygen, which causes weakness and rapid fatigue of the body.

Iron deficiency anemia can occur because since the baby has anemia, hookworm infection, lack of iron intake because foods containing less animal protein, and the process of menstruation in adolescent girls.

"Anemia must be removed so as not to run continuously and be a vicious circle," said Soedjatmiko.

In addition to iron supplementation, anemia is recommended for people who eat a diet high in iron, like meat. In more severe anemia, the actions taken can include blood transfusions or the administration of drugs that can stimulate the production of red blood cells.