An increasing number of parents may be concerned about their children’s vitamin deficiencies. A child’s development and general health can be impacted by not getting enough essential vitamins, which can result in a number of issues that aren’t always immediately apparent. Early detection of the symptoms is essential to guaranteeing your child’s health in the future.
Vitamin deficiencies can manifest themselves in a variety of ways, from exhaustion to recurrent infections. These symptoms could indicate something more serious even though they appear to be typical aspects of growing up. It’s critical to know what to look out for so that you can take appropriate action.
The good news is that vitamin deficiencies can be identified and treated with the appropriate strategy. You can support your child’s growth and well-being by helping them regain their health and energy through a balanced diet and supplements if needed.
| Symptom | Vitamin Deficiency and Treatment |
| Fatigue and weakness | Lack of vitamin D or iron. Increase sun exposure, take supplements, or eat fortified foods and iron-rich meals. |
| Dry skin | Low vitamin A or E. Include more fruits, vegetables, and nuts in the diet. |
| Slow growth | Vitamin B12 deficiency. Provide fortified cereals, dairy, and meat, or use B12 supplements if needed. |
| Frequent infections | Vitamin C deficiency. Add citrus fruits, berries, and bell peppers to meals. |
| Bone pain | Low vitamin D. Ensure sufficient sunlight exposure and include dairy products or supplements. |
What is it?
As a matter of fact, conditions linked to a deficiency in vitamins are commonly referred to as avitaminosis. The child developed a vitamin deficiency as evidenced by the peeling skin on his hands and increased frequency of illness. This is a major misconception, so let’s clear up the differences right away: hypovitaminosis, or partial deficiency, is what leads to peeling skin and other vitamin deficiency symptoms, whereas true avitaminosis is the complete and total lack of a particular vitamin in the body.
Avitaminosis is regarded by medical professionals worldwide as a very dangerous condition. The absence of a particular necessary substance can cause a child to become disabled or even die if you fail to identify and treat a child’s vitamin deficiency in a timely manner.
Regarding childhood avitaminosis and hypovitaminosis, there is another myth that needs to be busted right away: the idea that drinking "vitamins" will suffice. You cannot treat vitamin deficiency on your own, despite what manufacturers of baby food, juices, and multivitamins for children may promise you on their screens. This poses a serious risk to life. It is only a doctor’s job to determine which vitamins, in what amounts, and where to obtain them.
Trying to give a child "vitamins" on your own can go horribly wrong because too much of some vitamins can have disastrous effects on life and health (hypervitaminosis).
Causes of vitamin deficiency
- eating disorders, lack of certain foods, vegetarianism;
- frequent consumption of carbohydrates, grains that have been polished;
- improper cooking, storing food, in which substances that are valuable to the child"s body are destroyed before they enter the body (some foods cannot be frozen, and some cannot be boiled);
- stress, heavy physical exertion, illness, living in cold regions increase the need for vitamins by about 50-60%, and if this is not taken into account, the deficiency will definitely manifest itself;
- impaired absorption of vitamins as a result of gastrointestinal diseases, as well as against the background of taking antibacterial drugs.
The causes of each type of vitamin deficiency are unique.
- Lack of vitamin A – the child has little protein and carotene in his diet, he consumes little animal fat, is physically exhausted or has been in a state of extreme emotional exhaustion for a long time. Deficiency of this vitamin can be a consequence of previous infections, and can also accompany chronic enteritis and colitis, liver and thyroid pathologies.
- Vitamin C deficiency – the child eats little fresh greens, vegetables, fruits, food for him is carefully and long subjected to heat treatment. This form of vitamin deficiency develops with the abuse of baked goods, bread, as well as with significant mental and intellectual stress.
- Lack of vitamin B1 – there is no wholemeal flour in the diet, the child eats only polished cereals. This form of hypovitaminosis occurs in northern peoples due to long-term consumption of raw fish, as well as in all other peoples, if the child is given too much protein food. Such a deficiency often accompanies thyroid disease and diabetes.
- B2 deficiency – the child"s diet does not include or contains, but in very small quantities, dairy products, protein. Often develops with diseases of the pancreas, intestines, liver.
- B3 deficiency – the child is in the sun too often and for too long, eats a lot of corn, little protein. Also, this form of hypovitaminosis is typical for children taking drugs to treat tuberculosis.
- B6 deficiency – a typical condition for children with diseases of the intestines, stomach.
- B9 deficiency – develops against the background of long-term use of antibiotics, after intestinal surgery, and also in children who eat food that has been exposed to high temperatures for too long
- B12 deficiency – a vegan child, vegetarian. Often, this form of deficiency occurs with chronic helminth infection and chronic lesions of the gastrointestinal tract.
- D deficiency – lack of sunlight, rare exposure to fresh air, low consumption of animal fat, lack of calcium salts, phosphorus.
- K deficiency – a small amount of fat, eating low-fat foods, blood diseases, intestinal diseases, long-term use of antibacterial agents and anticoagulants.
The basic idea of therapy is to give the body the necessary substance. It works better when taken with food, sometimes topically as an ointment, and occasionally as pills or injections. Since vitamins are absorbed in the intestines, the food method is preferred. A physician has prescribed the medications. Self-medicating is not appropriate.
Signs
Children who are deficient in any vitamin start to exhibit negative symptoms, including increased fatigue, drowsiness, irritability, and decreased appetite. It should be recognized that symptoms start to show up as soon as there is a noticeable vitamin deficiency; if this is not the same as severe hypovitaminosis, then it is.
Although mild forms of vitamin deficiencies are uncommon, they can be found in lab tests on small patients’ blood samples.
- If a child lacks vitamin A, then his vision usually suffers, the so-called twilight blindness is observed, there are flaws in color perception. Hair becomes brittle, can fall out, dry skin. Light stripes and bumps can appear on the nail plates.
- With a lack of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) The gums bleed, molars can fall out, bruises remain on the body, even with a slight pressure or a slight touch.
- With a lack of vitamin B1 Dry skin, neuritis, the legs of the child develops worse to perceive heat and cold, the sensitivity of the skin on the legs decreases, and cramps of the IKR develop. Sometimes the so -called edematous form develops, in which the heartbeat is disturbed, shortness of breath appears, there are visible swelling.
- With a lack of vitamin B3 The skin becomes darker and peels strongly, it is rough to the touch. Red spots are formed on the baby"s hands. The tongue is hypertrophied, its color is saturated raspberry. There are neurological disorders and liquid stools.
- In children with vitamin B6 deficiency conjunctivitis often develops, lips are dry and peeling, cracks appear in the corners of the mouth (angulitis). Visual acuity decreases. And children who are severely lacking vitamin B12 often suffer from B12-folate deficiency anemia – hemoglobin in the blood drops, there are signs of gastritis with low acidity of gastric juice.
It is impossible to rely on signs from the outside to tell you anything. The child needs to have a gastroenterologist examine him and have blood and urine tests performed in a lab.
It is essential to treat vitamin deficiency in children for their general development and growth. Early symptom recognition can assist parents in taking prompt action to ensure their child receives the nutrients they require.
Many common deficiencies can be avoided with easy steps like maintaining a balanced diet high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Under a doctor’s supervision, supplements can be a secure and useful treatment when necessary.
Parents can support their children’s growth and prevent long-term health issues associated with vitamin deficiencies by being proactive and knowledgeable.
Children who are deficient in certain vitamins may experience a variety of health problems, such as weaker immunity, developmental delays, and lethargy. Early detection of symptoms such as pale skin, irritability, or recurrent infections enables parents to seek appropriate treatment, which frequently entails dietary adjustments and supplementation. The secret to ensuring that kids grow up strong and healthy is to recognize the causes and take immediate action to address them.
