Causes, Symptoms, and Remedies for Vitamin D Deficiency in Children

Compensating for the deficiencyVitamin DIn children

We all know that a sound mind resides in a sound body, and today, one common deficiency in children isVitamin D deficiency.When a child is growing in the womb, they require this vitamin; thus, it is essential for the mother to have balanced and nutritious meals to ensure the child’s proper development.

Even after birth and throughout life, consuming vitamin D is necessary. A lack of natural vitamin D levels in children can lead them torickets.This disease softens bones and causes skeletal abnormalities. It is often associated with

calcium deficiencyin the blood, which can result in various severe and painful abnormalities.The deficiency of vitamin D can be compensated for by a healthy diet from the mother.

Why is vitamin D deficiency in children important?

Vitamin D is vital for children’s growth. This vitamin can be obtained from the early morning sunlight. A deficiency in vitamin D among children results in rickets, an unhealthy immune system, infections, and arthritis in adolescence.

Causes and factors leading to vitamin D deficiency in children:

1. Inadequate intake of nutrients
2. Wearing dark-colored clothing.
3. Not being exposed to sunlight
4. Not consuming foods high in vitamin D, such aseggs.
5. Rapid growth of the child. For example: children born underweight (less than 2500 grams) who grow quickly after birth, and those inpubertywhere rapid growth occurs, can become deficient in vitamin D if they do not receive enough of it.
6. Children with specific diseases that cause malabsorption of vitamin D, such as conditions associated with fat malabsorption.
7. The use of certain medications, such as anticonvulsants, in variousepilepsyor other seizures, like phenobarbital or phenytoin, can also lead to vitamin D deficiency due to interference in its metabolism.Symptoms and signs of vitamin D deficiency in children:Muscle cramps, seizures, and respiratory issues

Delays in tooth development

1. Frequent crying in children
2. Increased susceptibility to various respiratory infections
3. Respiratory problems due to a soft chest
4. Poor growth and low weight
5. Weakening of heart muscles
6. Common signs of rickets include soft skull, bowing of leg bones, extreme leg spasms, frequent muscle pain, and general body weakness.
7. Some sources and foods rich in vitamin D include:
8. Previously mentioned in

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the food is the main source of minerals, vitamins, and proteins for a growing child. Therefore, a balanced diet with appropriate vitamins and minerals is essential to prevent health risks. Below is a list of foods rich in vitamin D:Fatty fishEgg yolk

1. Cereals
2. Infant formula
3. Dairy products such as: milk, yogurt, butter, and cheese.
4. Fruit juices, especially
5. orange juice.
6. Cod liver oilThe appropriate amount of vitamin D intake for children:
7. Vitamin D deficiency in children can be severe or mild. Treatment and the amount of vitamin D required depend on the severity of the deficiency. It is crucial first to consult a pediatrician. The recommended intake based on the age of the children is as follows:

Infants up to 12 months need 10 mg of vitamin D daily.

Children over one year need 15 mg of vitamin D daily.

• How is vitamin D deficiency in children treated?
• Letting the child play under the sun without clothes for a short time:

A substance named dehydrocholesterol, which is a precursor to vitamin D, exists in human skin. When sunlight hits the skin, it converts into active vitamin D in the body after several processes in the kidneys.

Having a healthy and balanced diet:

Butter, fish liver oil, egg yolk, cream, liver, vitamin D-enriched milk, cereal, and infant formula are sources of vitamin D. Cow’s milk contains 40 IU (international units) and vegetables and fruits contain very minimal amounts of vitamin D; the egg yolk contains 400-120 IU of vitamin D per gram.

In cases of severe deficiency, a high dose of vitamin D and estotherapy are recommended.

This vitamin can be compensated orally and through intramuscular injections.

• For children who are unable to eat, intramuscular injections are performed.
• Taking calcium and phosphorus supplements or multivitamins to
• strengthen bones.
• Studies conducted on 500 sick children revealed that the primary cause of illness and hospitalization in children is vitamin D deficiency. Therefore, it is advised that children over one should consume 600 international units (IU) of vitamin D daily.How can we prevent children from developing vitamin D deficiency?Prevention is always better than treatment. It is crucial to know how to keep children safe from this vitamin deficiency. Below are several strategies:

Allow the child to play under the sun without clothes for a short while.

Vitamin D deficiency in breastfed infants is compensated by the mother’s intake of vitamin D.

If there’s a deficiency in vitamin D among children, a pediatrician prescribes vitamin D supplements for them.

1. When children are growing, provide them with foods rich in multivitamins.
2. Children can take vitamin D supplements daily.
3. If you suspect your child has a vitamin D deficiency, visit the pediatrician for testing.
4. *Vitamin D is essential for bone health and overall growth of the child. If you observe symptoms of vitamin D deficiency and suspect your child, consult their doctor to start treatment in a timely manner.
5. Vitamin D deficiency in children
6. Causes of vitamin D deficiency in children

Dietary sources of vitamin D