Vitamin D Deficiency In Growing Kids

The “sunshine vitamin” or Vitamin D plays an important role in the overall health and development of the growing children. It is essential to understand what is best and helping the body to absorb the calcium and build strong bones. The importance of including Vitamin D goes beyond bone health and in recent years there is a reasonable deficiency in Vitamin  D especially among the children growing in urban environments. Hence, this growing concern needs immediate attention ensuring proper growth and kids well-being. Therefore, this blog explains the deficiency in Vitamin D among the growing kids.

Why Is Vitamin D Important For Kids?

Vitamin D is one of the crucial elements needed for the absorption of calcium and phosphorus which is important for a healthy bone formation. With children this component is especially vital as their bones are at the state of growth and development. The lack of vitamin D can lead to a serious medical condition called rickets resulting in softer and weaker bones or skeletal deformities. In addition, Vitamin D exceptionally supports the immune function, regulates the mood changes, and also reduces the risk of chronic diseases.

Causes Of Vitamin D Deficiency In Children

There are many reasons why children are not getting enough amount of Vitamin D and they are,

Limited Sun Exposure: 

The primary source of Vitamin D is the sunlight and some children due to modern indoor lifestyle get limited time exposure to the light. This makes them receive a limited amount of UVB rays that reach the skin.

Darker Skin Tones:

Melanin lowers the skin’s capacity to synthesize vitamin D from the sun, so children with darker skin might need more sun time to create enough.

Dietary Deficiencies:

Inadequate intake of foods that contain high levels of vitamin D, such as fortified milk and dairy products, egg yolks, and oily fish, can cause the deficiency.

Medical Conditions:

Some diseases like celiac disease, cystic fibrosis, or kidney disorders may damage the body’s capacity to absorb and utilize vitamin D effectively.

Obesity:

Fat cells are capable of storing vitamin D and preventing it from being present in the blood flow, reducing the amount of available vitamin D in the body.

Signs And Symptoms Of Deficiency

The early detection regarding the deficiency in Vitamin D is important for timely medical intervention and it is important to watch out for the common symptoms.

• Often aches in muscles and bone pain
• Prolonged growth and development
• Irritation and feeling fatigue
• Often infections in respiration
• Difficulty during walking or a waddling gait
• Frequent dental issues including enamel defects or delayed teething

Often, in many cases there might not be clear symptoms and having regular screenings is important to prevent them from falling into one of the high-risk groups.

Diagnosis And Treatment

The diagnosis and treatment for identifying Vitamin D deficiency is by running a simple blood test. If the deficiency is confirmed, doctors may recommend,

• Spending 15-30 minutes outside for at least a few times a week based on the skin tone and geography.
• It also includes foods that are rich in vitamin D like milk, fortified cereals, fatty fish, and eggs.
• In some cases, Vitamin drops and tablets are given to the children based on their ages and deficiency level.

Prevention Tips For Parents

The best way to prevent these condition is by

• Ensuring that kids get needed, regular and safer sun exposure
• Including the Vitamin D enriched foods in their daily meals
• Discussing with the pediatrician regarding the supplements needed for the child especially during the winter or if the child tends to spend most of the time indoors.
• Encouraging the children for physical activities which easily promotes both the health and sun exposure.

At Sugam Hospital, the best pediatric hospital in Chennai, we understand how important it is to offer the children with the proper nutrients in their growing years. We provide complete care including from the regular check-ups to nutrition advice for accurate diagnosis and treatment of deficiency. With our team we empower parents to make informed decisions in regard to the child’s health. We assure that your child becomes strong, healthy, and full of life by treating their deficiency or offering right preventive care.