The Importance of Iron Iron is another essential nutrient that you should make sure is in your child's diet. Infants need 6 to 10 milligrams of iron, and children need 10 to 15 milligrams each day. After age 10, your child should be getting 15 milligrams of iron each day. Teen boys need extra iron to support their rapid growth, and teen girls need enough iron to replace what they lose once they begin menstruating. The bleeding during a period involves loss of red blood cells that contain iron.
Iron deficiency can be a problem, particularly for girls who experience very heavy periods.
In fact, many teenage girls are at risk for iron deficiency, even if they have normal periods, because their diets may not contain enough iron to offset the blood loss. Also, teens can lose significant amounts of iron through sweating during intense exercise. Iron deficiency can lead to fatigue, irritability, headaches, lack of energy, and tingling in the hands and feet. Significant iron deficiency can lead to iron-deficiency anemia. Never give your child iron supplements without consulting your child' s doctor, because an iron overdose can cause serious problems.