2026 Pediatric Guidelines on Iron Deficiency Screening, Prevention, and Management

Clinical Takeaway

: The updated AAP guidelines expand how and when we should screen children and adolescents for iron deficiency.

An overview of Prevention, Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Iron Deficiency and Iron Deficiency Anemia in Infants, Children, and Adolescents: 2026 AAP Clinical Report

Iron deficiency can affect energy metabolism and neurodevelopment before anemia develops. The updated American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines therefore recommend expanding screening beyond the 12-month hemoglobin (Hb) measurement to increase early detection.

Key Recommendations

Prevention

Preterm infants on full enteral feeds should receive 2–3 mg/kg/day of iron by 2 weeks of life.
Exclusively breastfed term infants now should receive 1 mg/kg/day by 4 months of age or complementary iron-rich foods at 6 months of age (e.g., iron-fortified oatmeal, pureed dark green veg…

Reviewing Author

Ann Cheung, M.D., M.B.A., M.S.

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose