Anemia Say: uh-nee-mee-uh Red blood cells carry oxygen all over our bodies. People who have anemia have fewer red blood cells than normal, which can make them feel tired because not enough oxygen is getting to their bodies' cells. There are a lot of reasons why a person may have anemia, but a common reason why some kids get anemia is because they don't get enough iron in the foods they eat. Iron is needed for red blood cells to work. Back to Articles Related Articles Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.