What should children with dengue fever eat?

Children with dengue fever need to adjust their diet, eat fruits rich in vitamins C and K, and foods rich in iron to strengthen the immune system.

Nutritionist Nguyen Thi Thu Huyen, Department of Nutrition, Tam Anh General Hospital, Hanoi , said that one of the risk factors when children get dengue fever is a decrease in platelet count. Platelets are small blood cells that play an important role in the blood clotting process. They are formed in the bone marrow and circulate in the blood, preventing bleeding by forming blood clots. Children need to be provided with enough vitamins, minerals and proteins for the bone marrow to produce platelets.

Fruits rich in vitamin C

Vitamin C helps absorb iron, stimulates the production of white blood cells, thereby increasing the number of platelets. This antioxidant helps strengthen blood vessels, reducing the risk of bleeding. To increase vitamin C intake, parents should feed their children more fruits or juices of oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, kiwis, strawberries, raspberries, tomatoes, and grapes.

Beetroot contains iron, folic acid and vitamin C which aid in natural blood purification and stimulate the production of red blood cells and platelets. Drinking beetroot juice can help increase platelet count.

Children should eat and drink foods rich in vitamin C when they have dengue fever. Photo: Freepik — Children should eat and drink foods rich in vitamin C when they have dengue fever. Photo: *Freepik*

Vegetables and fruits

Vegetables and fruits rich in vitamins such as pumpkin, carrots, watercress, celery, broccoli, beets... help activate platelet levels and purify the body. Spinach contains large amounts of protein and vitamin K, which participate in the metabolism of blood clotting factors, reducing the risk of bleeding during dengue fever.

Pumpkin, nuts contain amino acids and vitamins necessary for platelet formation. Parents can prepare delicious, easy-to-digest dishes that help improve the absorption of protein and vitamin A. Pumpkin contains powerful antioxidants, which help inhibit the negative effects of toxins and free radicals.

Foods rich in iron

Iron is needed for the production of red blood cells and platelets. Foods rich in iron include red meat, poultry, seafood, lentils, spinach, and fortified cereals. Incorporating these foods into your child’s daily diet can help speed recovery by increasing platelet count.

Vitamin B12 supplements

Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) plays an important role in the production of red blood cells. Foods of animal origin rich in vitamin B12 include fish, meat, chicken, eggs, and dairy products. Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause severe thrombocytopenia. Therefore, parents should prepare foods that supplement vitamin B12 when their children have dengue fever.

Yogurt

Probiotics (good bacteria) found in yogurt are helpful in keeping the intestines healthy. Eating yogurt every day helps children with dengue fever strengthen their intestines and recover quickly.

Aloe vera

Aloe vera is rich in nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, sodium, copper and vitamins C, E, B... Aloe vera juice is beneficial for heart health and promotes platelet production.

Coconut water

The drink is effective in increasing platelet levels in children with dengue fever. Coconut water reduces bleeding time and increases blood clotting time, increasing platelet count. Dengue fever can cause dehydration in children. Coconut water replenishes water, adds vitamins A, B, C, minerals, calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron and phosphorus... for children to recover quickly.

In addition to foods that should be supplemented, children should avoid greasy foods, foods containing caffeine, carbonated drinks, spicy foods, and foods high in fat.

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