According to a review carried out by the European Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN), a considerable number of healthy European children and adolescents (including Spanish children), would have vitamin D deficiency, a serious problem that It could lead to associated diseases.
The sun is one of the main natural sources of vitamin D, along with a correct and balanced diet. Even so, sometimes supplementation may also be necessary.
We tell you everything you need to know about vitamin D in babies and children, what consequences does your deficit have and what can we do to avoid it.
Vitamin D: why it is important and what are your requirements
Vitamin D is an important nutrient that helps the body incorporate calcium from the food we eat, contributing to the health of the bone system. In addition, it plays a very important role in heart health and fighting infections.
The Spanish Association of Pediatrics recommends a contribution of vitamin D of 400 U / day in children under one year and 600 U / day from that age.Why does vitamin D deficiency occur?
Usually, vitamin D deficiency is caused by a combination of food deficiencies and low exposure to sunlight, taking into account that the diet only contributes 10 percent of the recommended amounts of vitamin D, while the sun contributes 90 percent.
Deficiencies in children's diet
Nutritional deficits in children It is a topic that worries parents a lot, and something that experts often echo. With an extensive, balanced and varied diet it is difficult for a child to have nutritional deficits, but we know that it is not always easy to get children to eat everything.
Specifically, vitamin D is obtained through the consumption of certain foods such as blue fish (salmon or sardines in oil, for example), shellfish, egg yolk, dairy and fortified cereals.
Low exposure to sunlight
Vitamin D is synthesized in skin cells with the help of exposure to sunlight, so the sun becomes the main natural source of obtaining this vitamin.
Throughout history, sunlight has satisfied most of the human vitamin D requirements. However, the changes produced in the last years in the lifestyle, the increasing physical inactivity of the children, the migratory movements and the excessive protection that we take at the time of exposing ourselves to the sun, have increased the deficiencies of this vitamin.
In Babies and more Myths and truths about sun protection in childrenLactating babies
During the first months of life, the baby usually has sufficient contributions of vitamin D as it receives and stores it during pregnancy, but to avoid subsequent deficiencies the Spanish Association of Pediatrics recommends supplementation in these risk groups:
Breastfed babies under one year should receive a supplement of 400 IU / day of vitamin D.
Babies who drink formula milk should receive a supplement of 400 IU / day of vitamin D until they take a daily liter of adapted formula enriched with vitamin D.
Premature children under one year of corrected age should take 200 IU / kg / day up to a maximum of 400 IU / day.
In Babies and more Vitamin D and colic: what is known about it and possible solutionsSymptoms of vitamin D deficiency
A vitamin D deficiency could produce the following associated symptoms and problems in the child:
Increased risk of rickets: the lack of vitamin D could cause rickets, a disease that is characterized by softening of the bones of the skull, bowing of the legs, deformities in ribs and other bones, short stature, muscle weakness and increased risk of psychomotor retardation.
Caries risk increases: Although the relationship is still unclear, there are several studies that show that there are more cavities when vitamin D levels are lower.
Risk of development involvement: The pregnant woman's vitamin D deficiency has been associated with an increased risk of the baby having difficulties in language development.
It also increases the risk of lung disease, such as bronchiolitis and asthma.
With low levels of vitamin D too the risk of cardiovascular diseases is increased.
Vitamin D deficit treatment
In case of vitamin D deficit, the treatment will be based on the administration of supplements, but always under the recommendation and control by the pediatrician, since belonging to the group of fat-soluble vitamins, can accumulate in the body and generate a picture of vitamin D poisoning.
In Babies and more Vitamin D and Iron in infants and children: when is it necessary to supplement and why?The Spanish Association of Pediatrics recommends that children over one year or adolescents with poor nutrition, vegetarian diets or chronic diseases or treatments that alter the synthesis of vitamin D, receive supplements.
It is also recommended in cases of children and adolescents with dark skin (African, Caribbean and South Asian origin) or low sun exposure (way of life, customs in dress, latitude, altitude, environmental pollution ...).
And in the case of nursing babies, and as we have commented above, supplementation is always necessary below the first year
In short, a varied and balanced diet combined with frequent outdoor physical activity should be sufficient for children to maintain adequate levels of vitamin D, supplementation being necessary in the cases of risk we have highlighted.
