New Iron Supplement Address Concerns Over Anemic Toddlers

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) claims that many toddlers are not meeting the dietary requirements for iron, according to NextWave Pharmaceuticals Although infants are getting enough iron in their diets, children in the age range of 12 to 24 months are not getting enough iron in their diets. The CDC released new data stating that the number of children between the ages of 1 and 2 years-old that are iron deficient is 7 percent, while the prevalence of iron deficiency in children living in urban areas that are between the ages of 1 and 3 years -old is 20 percent, according to NextWave.

NextWave Pharmaceuticals is addressing this issue with the launch of their new product, MyKidz Iron, a nonprescription liquid iron supplement that not only address the iron deficiency issues among children, but thanks to a new suspension technology, the supplement has a great taste and won't stain a child's teeth or clothing, according to the company. The problem with staining and the metallic taste of other liquid iron supplements has made parents tend to quite giving the other supplements to their children, according to the company.

The reason that iron is so important for children is that 90 percent of the brain's actual physical growth occurs during the infant and toddler years. Iron is needed for brain development, and to help carry oxygen throughout the entire body, according to NextWave. If a child is iron deficient, there can be long term consequences, such as poor motor and behavioral performance, according to the company. Children who are iron deficient will also absorb more lead into their bodies if they are exposed to the toxic substance, according to NextWave.