Iron Deficiency in Infants—What Nurse Practitioners Need to Know

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in infancy is associated with negative, potentially irreversible impacts on cognitive and socioemotional development that persist into adulthood and may result in reduced potential and decreased quality of life. Infants are at particularly high risk of IDA due to rapid growth rates and high iron requirements during this stage of life. There are currently no universal screening programs for IDA. Existing screening guidelines in Canada and the United States provide multiple, conflicting recommendations. Primary care nurse practitioners are uniquely situated to improve accessibility to quality health care and screen, diagnose, and treat IDA at routine well-baby visits. •The prevalence of anemia in Canadian infants is 13.2%, while the prevalence among Indigenous infants ranges from 14% to 50%.•Risk factors for iron deficiency anemia (IDA) include low socioeconomic status, low birth weight, premature birth, Indigenous ancestry, prolonged breastfeeding, ingestion of cow’s milk before 12 months old, and low intake of iron-rich foods.•Universal screening is the most cost-effective strategy, followed by selective screening of high-risk groups, which is recommended in most guidelines.•Treatment involves a shared decision-making approach with nutritional intake of iron-rich foods and supplementation.