What is the dose of vitamin D for children?, as vitamin D is actually not a vitamin, but rather a hormone that is produced in the body as a result of exposure to sunlight, and it can also be obtained through eating some foods, and in this article, the question will be answered and also addressed to Introducing the causes that lead to vitamin D deficiency in children, the symptoms that may result from its deficiency in children, talking about the sources of vitamin D, and the way to treat this vitamin deficiency in children.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is one of the most important vitamins for the body because it belongs to the family of fat-soluble vitamins and is stored in the fatty tissues of the body. One of the most important functions of vitamin D in the body is its role in helping the body absorb calcium and phosphate. It should be noted that the body in childhood uses minerals such as Phosphate and calcium for bone production and calcium deficiency, whether due to malabsorption or malnutrition, can cause problems with bone and tissue production, and vitamin D deficiency plays an important role in rickets.
Vitamin D dosage for children
The daily dose of vitamin D varies according to the age group of the child, as follows:
- Babies from birth to one year of age, and children from birth to one year of age need 8.5 to 10 micrograms of vitamin D per day, and it should be noted that children who receive infant formula should not be given. A dietary supplement containing vitamin D unless given with less than 500ml of milk per day.
- Children 1 to 4 years of age. Children in this age group need 10 micrograms of vitamin D per day.
- It should be noted that during the fall and winter, it may be difficult for people to get enough vitamin D due to a lack of sunlight, so it is recommended to pay attention to the diet to compensate for the deficiency or take nutritional supplements.
Causes of Vitamin D deficiency in children
The body needs vitamin D to absorb calcium and phosphorous from the intestines, so its deficiency in children will lead to a lack of calcium and phosphorous, which in turn leads to rickets, and this, in turn, may occur due to vitamin D deficiency or as a result of malabsorption, or the problem may be in the kidneys where the form is produced Active, so the causes of vitamin D deficiency in children are as follows:
Lack of exposure to the sun and lack of nutrition
We have already mentioned that the lack of exposure to sunlight is caused by the climate in certain areas, clothing habits, or the use of protective creams and ointments, all of this can lead to a lack of manufacturing inside the skin, as well as eating food from fish oils, egg yolk, milk, cereals, and fruit juice helps maintain The normal levels of vitamin D, both in children and adults, and therefore a deficiency can occur in children as well as adults in the case of lack of food intake, especially if accompanied by a lack of exposure to the sun.
Absorption disorders
Sometimes the cause of the deficiency in children is some diseases that the child may suffer from such as enteritis and cystic fibrosis.
Kidney problems
In the kidneys, the active form, 1.25-hydroxyvitamin D, is synthesized, so sometimes despite normal intestinal absorption of vitamin D, normal liver and kidney function is required to make the active form.
Symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency in children
This vitamin affects the intestines, increases the absorption of calcium and phosphorous, affects the kidneys, and reduces the excretion of calcium in the urine, so its deficiency means a lack of calcium and phosphorous, and the latter will have adverse effects on bone health, so symptoms of vitamin D deficiency in children may include what Following:
- Softening of the limb bones.
- the curvature of the legs;
- Bone pain.
- Ease of exposure to bone fractures.
- Bone formation at the site of attachment of the ribs to the costal cartilage.
- The bones of the skull become soft.
- Loss of weight and height.
- Abnormalities of the spine, pelvis, or craniofacial can occur.
- Muscle cramps that affect the whole body can be caused by low levels of calcium in the blood.
- An increase in the width of the wrists.
- Foods containing vitamin D.
Sunlight is the main source of vitamin D, and foods that contain vitamin D include: [5]
Eggs. The yolk is a rich source of vitamin D. Two large eggs contain 88 IU of vitamin D. [1]
Fortified foods are known as foods that have added vitamins and minerals, the most common being cow's milk, assorted breakfast cereals, and orange juice.
Ricotta cheese is cheese's highest source of vitamin D, containing 25 IU of vitamin D. Ricotta cheese makes a delicious and healthy snack. [5]
Beef, a rich source of amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and proteins, 750 grams of liver contains 42 IU of vitamin D
Mushrooms and mushrooms are foods rich in vitamin D, and the amount of vitamin D can vary according to the type of fungi. Among the most important types of fungi are: [2]
Raw shiitake mushrooms contain 562 IU of Vitamin D per 50 grams.
Dried shiitake mushrooms contain 77 IU of vitamin D per 50 grams.
Raw portobello mushrooms exposed to UV light contain 568 IU of Vitamin D per 50g.
Raw white mushrooms exposed to UV rays, contain 523 IU of Vitamin D per 50g.
Fish: Fatty fish contain a high percentage of vitamin D, and the most important types of these fish are:
Cod liver oil contains 450 IU of vitamin D per teaspoon.
Swordfish contains 706 international units of vitamin D per piece.
Herring contains 3-6 IU of vitamin D per slice.
Salmon and Sardines Salmon is a rich source of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin D.
Canned tuna, is an inexpensive food rich in vitamin D, as every 113 grams of tuna contains 150 international units of vitamin D.
Vitamin D deficiency treatment in children
Treatment of vitamin D deficiency in children includes increasing exposure to the sun if this is the cause of the deficiency, in addition to taking fish oil pills, and if the problem is due to a lack of food supply. Or not enough, treatment in addition to exposure to the sun - includes daily supplements of calcium, phosphorous, and vitamin D, as well as annual injections of it, in addition to encouraging the consumption of foods rich in it. To treat this disease and take daily supplements of vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorous. [5]
Finally, in this article, the question was answered, what is the dose of vitamin D for children?, the causes that lead to vitamin D deficiency in children, the symptoms that may result from its deficiency in children, and the discussion about the sources of vitamin D, and the way to treat this deficiency were defined. vitamins in children.
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