Growth Retardation in Children
Although vitamin D deficiency initially only causes bone and muscle pain and cramps, critical and long-term deficiency leads to the bone syndrome called rickets.
Although the deficiency of vitamin D, which is a very important nutrient for children's musculoskeletal health, initially causes only bone and muscle pain and cramps, its critical and long-term deficiency causes the bone syndrome called rickets. Rickets causes the bone to soften, causing many musculoskeletal symptoms such as inward or outward bracing in the legs, flattening of the skull, rosary-like bone protrusions on the ribs, deterioration of teeth, swelling in the hand and foot joints, and growth retardation.
What Does Vitamin D Do?
Vitamin D is very important for children's musculoskeletal health. Vitamin D plays a role in the body's absorption of calcium and phosphorus from food, in regulating the amount of these minerals in the blood and in storing sufficient amounts in the bones. For healthy and strong bones, sufficient amounts of food must be taken.
What is it found in?
Only some foods naturally contain vitamin D, but it is difficult to get enough vitamin D from food alone. Vitamin D is later added to margarine, baby food and milk for enrichment. However, children get only a quarter of the amount of vitamin D they need through diet. The majority of the vitamin D needed by the body is produced by the body itself, thanks to a series of reactions that occur in the skin (with the help of sunlight), liver and kidneys.
What Causes Vitamin D Deficiency?
Vitamin D deficiency in children initially causes bone and muscle pain and cramps. In critical and long-term deficiency, it affects the mineralization of the bone and causes soft bone syndrome called rickets. In this syndrome, the inability to store calcium and phosphorus in the growing bone causes the bone to soften, leading to many musculoskeletal system symptoms such as inward or outward bracing of the legs, flattening of the skull, rosary-like bone protrusions on the ribs, deterioration of teeth, swelling in the hand and foot joints, and growth retardation. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with problems with the musculoskeletal system in adulthood, as well as high blood pressure, stroke, bowel cancer, heart disease, diabetes and immune system diseases.
Which Children Are At Risk for Vitamin D Deficiency?
The body of children who are not exposed to sufficient amounts of sun cannot produce enough vitamin D. In the summer months, it is sufficient for children to sunbathe below the knees and elbows, without using protection cream, between 11.00 and 15.00, when the sun is in a vertical position. However, in order to avoid the harmful effects of the sun during the specified hours, it is necessary to limit unprotected sunbathing time to 10-15 minutes. If enough vitamin D is stored during the summer months, the body's needs will be met for the winter months.
Breast Milk?
Although breast milk is the ideal nutrition for babies, it does not contain enough vitamin D. If the mother already has vitamin D deficiency, the amount the baby will receive will be less. For this reason, vitamin D supplementation of 3 drops (400 IU) per day is recommended for newborn babies (regardless of whether they are breastfed or formula fed) until the age of 1 (preferably up to the age of 3).
Prematurity, liver and kidney disorders, some diseases that cause problems in digesting food (Celiac disease, cystic fibrosis and inflammatory bowel disease) and some medications (Epilepsy drugs) can cause vitamin D deficiency by disrupting the intake or synthesis of vitamin D in the body.
How is Vitamin D Deficiency Diagnosed and Treated?
Vitamin D deficiency can be detected by blood tests. In the treatment, low dose (daily) or high dose (monthly) vitamin D therapy is given orally. Since an overdose of vitamin D can cause serious health problems, the treatment should be arranged and monitored by a doctor. It is also recommended to increase the duration of sun exposure in children receiving treatment. In the treatment of vitamin D deficiency, in addition to supplementing the vitamin, it is necessary to increase the amount of calcium taken in the diet. For this, it is sufficient to add a glass of milk, a bowl of yoghurt or a piece of white cheese to the diet 2-3 times a day. For children who are allergic to dairy products, advice can be obtained from a dietitian.