Food & Receipts

Vitamin D deficiency signs in your child: Avoid reckless supplementation

Vitamin D is a crucial vitamin, but over-supplementation can lead to adverse effects.

22 April, 2024

Vitamin D plays a vital role in the development of the skeletal system. Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium and phosphate in the intestines and kidneys, thereby increasing the efficiency of calcium utilization for bone formation. Moreover, vitamin D enhances the functioning of the immune system and ensures proper metabolism in the body. However, excessive intake of vitamin D can also lead to complications such as hypercalcemia in children, resulting in a range of symptoms including headache, dizziness, loss of appetite, dry mouth, muscle cramps, constipation, nausea, bone pain, and vascular calcification.

Vitamin D is essential for children’s development

Signs of Vitamin D Deficiency in Children

Excessive sweating: Children with vitamin D deficiency tend to sweat excessively, particularly on the scalp. This is because vitamin D deficiency leads to reduced levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that supports various bodily functions such as sleep, mood, bladder control, and bowel function. Sweating is more pronounced at night.

Delayed teething: Vitamin D deficiency impairs the body’s ability to support tooth and bone development, resulting in delayed teething.

Emotional and psychological disturbances: Some children with vitamin D deficiency exhibit irritability, emotional instability, fatigue, stress, and anxiety without any underlying psychological cause.

Sleep disturbances: Vitamin D deficiency affects the nervous system, leading to poor sleep quality and frequent nighttime awakenings.

Vitamin D deficiency can also cause symptoms such as general aches and discomfort, frequent crying, digestive and respiratory problems. Older children and adolescents may experience bone demineralization, fractures, seizures, and heart damage. Infants and toddlers are prone to rickets, characterized by abnormal bone development and joint deformities. Rickets is prevalent in newborns and young children aged 6-23 months, as well as adolescents aged 12-15 years.

Sunlight exposure and consumption of vitamin D-rich foods

Vitamin D Supplementation

Natural foods rich in vitamin D for children who have started eating solid foods include salmon, eggs, mushrooms, liver, cheese, milk, orange juice, cereals, chicken breast, and red meat.

Allow children to receive proper early morning sunlight exposure to increase natural vitamin D production.

Administer vitamin D supplements in appropriate doses: 400 IU daily for full-term infants, and potentially higher doses for preterm infants.

Frequently asked questions

Vitamin D plays a crucial role in children’s growth, particularly in the development of their teeth and bones. A deficiency in Vitamin D can lead to delayed teething and bone weaknesses. Sufficient Vitamin D intake ensures proper bone mineralization and overall health in children.

Excessive sweating, especially on the scalp, and more prominently at night.
Delayed teething due to impaired bone and tooth development.
Emotional and psychological disturbances, including irritability, fatigue, stress, and anxiety.
Sleep disturbances, such as poor sleep quality and frequent night-time awakenings.
General aches and discomfort, frequent crying, digestive and respiratory problems.
In older children and adolescents: bone demineralization, fractures, seizures, and heart damage.
In infants and toddlers: rickets, characterized by abnormal bone development and joint deformities.

Children can obtain Vitamin D through sunlight exposure and a balanced diet. Natural food sources of Vitamin D include salmon, eggs, mushrooms, liver, dairy products, orange juice, cereals, chicken breast, and red meat. Additionally, Vitamin D supplements can be administered in appropriate doses, such as 400 IU daily for full-term infants.

While Vitamin D is essential, excessive intake can lead to complications such as hypercalcemia in children. Symptoms of hypercalcemia include headache, dizziness, loss of appetite, dry mouth, muscle cramps, constipation, nausea, bone pain, and vascular calcification. Therefore, it is important to maintain a balanced intake of Vitamin D through a combination of sunlight exposure, diet, and, if necessary, supplements.