Which age group is at increased risk for developing iron-deficiency anemia?

The selected answer is correct because infants and toddlers are at a heightened risk for developing iron-deficiency anemia, particularly those who do not receive enough dietary iron during a critical period of growth and development. This age group typically requires higher amounts of iron to support rapid growth and the expansion of blood volume.

Breastfed infants, while receiving optimal nutrition from their mothers, may require iron supplementation if they do not start consuming iron-rich foods by around six months, as maternal iron stores deplete. Additionally, toddlers may have diets that are low in iron, especially if they rely heavily on milk, which can inhibit iron absorption. The transition to solid foods must include adequate sources of iron to prevent deficiency.

Adolescents, while they also face risks due to increased nutritional demands during growth spurts, and school-age children are at some risk due to dietary choices, do not exhibit the same level of vulnerability as infants and toddlers, who are in a more critical developmental stage. Newborns, while needing iron for development, generally have sufficient iron reserves if the pregnancy was full-term and the maternal iron levels were adequate. Thus, the emphasis on the dietary needs of infants and toddlers underscores the rationale for focusing on this group regarding iron-deficiency anemia risk.