How to tell if a child is getting too little vitamin D.

Báo Hà Tĩnh•12/06/2023

Infants and children need vitamin D for normal growth and healthy bone development. Without enough vitamin D, children are at risk of developing rickets, which causes thin and weak bones.

Parents are particularly concerned about whether their children are getting enough vitamin D. Do children need vitamin D supplements, and how can you tell if a child is deficient in vitamin D?

Overview of vitamin D in children

Vitamin D is one of the four most common fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K), playing a crucial role in the metabolism of calcium and phosphate – two key elements for building a strong skeletal system.

Vitamin D exists in two main forms: vitamin D2 and vitamin D3.

- Type 1: Vitamin D2 (Ergocalciferol) is mainly found in plants and fungi.

- Type 2: Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol) is the form that the body can synthesize thanks to the role of sunlight.

From the precursor of vitamin D3 in the skin (7-Dehydrocholesterol), under the action of UVB rays in sunlight, it is converted into provitamin D3 and then vitamin D3, undergoing metabolism in the liver and kidneys, finally forming the biologically active form in the body (1,25(OH)D3).

Additionally, vitamin D3 is also present in foods of animal origin (tuna, salmon, and eggs...).

According to recommendations, young children need vitamin D supplementation, especially those who are exclusively breastfed during the first 6 months, because although breast milk is the best and most perfect food for infants and young children, the vitamin D content in breast milk is very low (544 pg/mL, providing about 15 IU/day) and does not meet the child's developmental needs.

Recommended vitamin D intake for infants and young children

How to tell if a child is getting too little vitamin D.

Sunlight is a source of vitamin D for the body. (Illustrative image.)

How to recognize vitamin D deficiency in children?

Infants and children may also be deficient in vitamin D if:

Not drinking enough milk or not eating other foods that contain vitamin D;

He has dark skin;

Children spend most of their time indoors or live in places with little sunlight;

Premature babies;

Children need to be treated for an illness or take certain medications;

Children with medical conditions that make it difficult for them to get enough vitamin D, such as cystic fibrosis or celiac disease.

Should children get sun exposure to get vitamin D?

Based on the principles of vitamin D synthesis, we cannot deny the role of sunlight in providing the body with vitamin D. Playing outdoors can help your child exercise and receive vitamin D. Sunbathing can help the body synthesize vitamin D, but proper sunbathing is necessary to obtain the recommended daily intake.

- For infants, it is necessary to remove clothing (only diaper and eye covering) so that the skin of the body is directly exposed to sunlight (because UVB rays cannot penetrate clothing or glass).

- The best time for sunbathing is between 6 and 9 a.m. and after 5 p.m. The ideal time to help children boost their metabolism is between 6 and 9 a.m., as the infrared and ultraviolet rays in sunlight are quite weak during this period.

UVB is considered the most beneficial ray, reaching the Earth's surface with the highest intensity between 10 AM and 2 PM. However, during this time, the sun's temperature is very high, making it unsuitable for both adults and children.

Furthermore, if children are exposed to sunlight during this time, they will receive additional UVA rays (in addition to UVB rays), which are even more harmful to their health. Therefore, mothers should only let their children sunbathe during the recommended time of day.

- Sun exposure time: Depends on the intensity of sunlight and skin color. During the summer, sunbathing for about 10-15 minutes between 10 am and 3 pm each day is sufficient to meet the vitamin D needs of most people.

Besides sunlight, vitamin D can be obtained orally through food or vitamin D supplements. For infants and young children who are exclusively breastfed and cannot obtain vitamin D through their diet, choosing vitamin D supplements is the most suitable solution.

However, the appropriate dosage and type of vitamin D supplement should be determined by a doctor. Overdosing on vitamin D can increase blood calcium levels, leading to loss of appetite, vomiting, nausea, and cartilage calcification in children. Excessively high blood calcium levels can also cause kidney stones and calcium deposits in the kidneys, potentially leading to kidney damage.

In summary: Vitamin D plays a very important role in the body, helping the body increase the absorption of calcium from food into the bloodstream. From there, calcium is deposited into the bones, helping them develop strongly.

The typical vitamin D requirement for children under 1 year old is 400 IU per day, and 600 IU per day for children 1 year and older. Long-term vitamin D deficiency can lead to hypocalcemia, bone deformities, rickets, and osteomalacia. Besides those with chronic diseases such as liver failure, kidney failure, asthma, and malnutrition, premature babies and exclusively breastfed infants are also at high risk of vitamin D deficiency.

If children are having difficulty absorbing enough vitamin D and show signs of vitamin deficiency, parents should take them to a medical facility for examination and specific advice.

According to Health & Life

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