Telltale indicators of Vitamin D deficiency in kids; measures to decrease the danger

Vitamin D deficiency is rising in kids extra so publish pandemic because the little ones stayed cooped inside their homes and bought fewer alternatives to play outdoors because of Covid-induced lockdowns. The deficiency is extra frequent within the age group of 2-14. There are different threat elements that may result in Vitamin D deficiency in kids. Premature infants, kids who shouldn’t have sufficient milk or those that don’t get daylight are in danger. 151.9 million kids had been discovered have Vitamin D deficiency in India in 2019, as per a report by Nature, launched in October 2022. Limiting kids’s display time and feeding them meals wealthy in Vitamin D like fish, liver oil, eggs, milk, butter, cheese, mushroom and greens excessive in vitamin D like spinach, kale, okra, and collard greens can assist.

“Vitamin D plays a crucial role in the development of a child. It keeps our body healthy and strengthens bones and muscles. It also helps the body absorb calcium and phosphorus from foods and supplements, safeguarding against heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, infections, immune system problems, cancer (colon, breast, and prostate) and multiple sclerosis. However, its deficiency may take a toll on physical and mental health,” says Dr. Sanjeev Dutta, HOD and Sr. Consultant – Neonatology & Paediatrics, Marengo Asia Hospitals, Faridabad.

Causes of Vitamin D deficiency

Dr Dutta says lack of solar publicity, playtime and unhealthy weight loss program is behind the vitamin D deficiency amongst kids.

“Today there is a high reduction in children ‘s physical activities as they prefer to socialise online than outdoors. They also spend more time on screen, making them low on natural vitamin D -sunshine vitamin. Babies who are born prematurely or those who are breastfed, children who do not drink enough milk, children who spend most of their time indoors or live in a cloudy or cold climate most of the time, are prone to develop this deficiency. Obese kids are more vulnerable to vitamin D deficiency as Fat cells hold the body back from using vitamin D,” he provides.

Symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency

Most frequent signs of Vitamin D deficiency reported amongst kids embrace muscle weak point or cramps, gradual development, weak immunity, bone ache, osteomalacia (softening of the bones), fatigue, or despair.

“The condition is seen most in 2–14-year-old children. Owing to prolonged and severe vitamin D deficiency, Children and infants are also likely to develop rickets. The illness rickets may lead to softening, thinning, weakening and deforming of the bones that can occur in growing children. Reduced levels of Vitamin D in young children also raise the risk of hormonal imbalance like parathyroid, testosterone and progesterone. In the long term, Vitamin D deficiency can become the cause of skeletal deformities, brittle bones, frequent fractures and premature osteoporosis. Its deficiency may also hamper the mental health of a child as well,” stated Dr Dutta whereas explaining the long run and short-term implications of Vitamin D deficiency.

How to decrease threat of Vitamin D deficiency

Dr Dutta shares the next suggestions:

• To deal with Vitamin D deficiency in kids, Vitamin D dietary supplements are prescribed.
• Sunlight is the very best supply of Vitamin D subsequently a day by day publicity to daylight no less than half-hour is very advisable.
• Avoid spicy and oily meals gadgets, exchange them with extremely nutritious meals like fish, liver oil, eggs, milk butter, cheese, mushroom and greens excessive in vitamin D (spinach, kale, okra, and collard greens).
• Limit kids’s display time and permit them play outdoors day by day for no less than one or two hours that may assist in their bodily improvement.