What are the risk factors for iron deficiency in children?

Infants and children at highest risk of iron deficiency include:

• Babies who are born prematurely — more than three weeks before their due date — or have a low birth weight
• Babies who drink cow's milk or goat's milk before age 1
• Breast-fed babies who aren't given complementary foods containing iron after age 6 months
• Babies who drink formula that isn't fortified with iron
• Children ages 1 to 5 who drink more than 24 ounces (710 milliliters) of cow's milk, goat's milk or soy milk a day
• Children who have certain health conditions, such as chronic infections or restricted diets
• Children ages 1 to 5 who have been exposed to lead

Adolescent girls also are at higher risk of iron deficiency because their bodies lose iron during menstruation.