Australia: Three Children Died from Severe Iron Deficiency Linked to Cow's Milk

Herz — World Desk · 8 August 2026 at 21:35 · 30s summary · 2 min read

What we know

Three young children in Queensland died over two years from severe iron deficiency anaemia after consuming more than one litre of cow's milk daily, according to Dr Sally Campbell, a haematologist at Queensland Children's Hospital. A virus that occurred at the same time aggravated each case.

Data from Pathology Queensland shows that emergency department visits at Queensland Children's Hospital for severe iron deficiency more than doubled: 39 cases in 2020, 86 in 2025.

Severe iron deficiency anaemia can lead to high-output heart failure: the heart pumps more blood than normal to compensate for lack of oxygen, warns Dr Campbell.

The Perth study documents the scale of the problem

The ORIGINS study, which has followed nearly 10,000 women and their babies in Perth since 2017, found that by age three, more than 56% of children had low iron levels. Nearly 20% had very low levels, and 2.6% suffered from severe iron deficiency anaemia.

hidden health crisis

— Professor Desiree Silva, paediatrician in Perth and co-director of the ORIGINS study, on iron deficiency in young children

Professor Desiree Silva, a paediatrician in Perth and co-director of the study, describes iron deficiency in young children as a 'hidden health crisis'.

Hope Castillo, age 5, a participant in the ORIGINS study, was diagnosed with severe iron deficiency in 2023 while consuming large amounts of cow's milk. She has been taking liquid iron supplements and receiving paediatric check-ups every six months since then. Her energy and concentration have improved markedly.