Vitamin D is one of the essential vitamins that the body needs to sustain. Vitamin D is very important for the absorption of calcium in our bodies. If the body is Vitamin D deficient, it will also be calcium deficient.This condition can cause rickets in children and osteoporosis in adults. Breastmilk is not enough to provide the sufficient vitamin D to the infant. Therefore,there are a lot of chances that the child is vitamin D deficient if additional vitamin D is not given to it along with breastmilk. In the light of the above,the current article intends to discuss vitamin D deficiencies during pregnancy and infancy and how to prevent it.
Vitamin D deficiency during Pregnancy
Women who expose themselves to little or no sunlight during pregnancy are more likely to be vitamin D deficient. They might have to compensate for the deficiency by consuming vitamin D supplements during the pregnancy and lactation period. One can conveniently buy them online from 3MEDS, the best online healthcare provider in Delhi. Sufficient vitamin D level is crucial for the development of the bones of the fetus. The effects of vitamin D deficiency can be seen in the infant after it is born.
Infants who are breastfed simply do not get sufficient Vitamin D. Even if the mother is consuming Vitamin D supplements while breastfeeding, the child can still develop vitamin D deficiency. The initial period of the baby’s life involves very rapid growth, therefore its body needs the right nutrients extensively.Therefore some exposure to sunlight and supplements suggested by the doctor is important for the proper development of the infant. If in case the child is vitamin D deficient, it can develop a condition called rickets.
Rickets is a condition that occurs in children due to extreme vitamin D deficiency. In this condition, the bones bent due to being weak and soft. Even if the child is consuming enough calcium in their food, it will not be absorbed by the body if it is lacking Vitamin D. Consuming a vitamin D rich diet can generally improve the condition but in case the child develops deformities in the skull, it requires corrective surgery to regain its correct shape.
1. Delayed growth
2. Delayed motor skills
3. Pain in legs and spine
4. Muscle weakness
To correct this illness, one can depend upon supplements and/ or consume a vitamin D rich diet that includes: Fishes like salmon and tuna, fish oil and egg yolks, infant formula, milk etc.
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There are three main ways of preventing vitamin D deficiency: Sunlight,vitamin D rich foods, and supplements. This section of the article deals with explaining the various pros and cons of each alternative.
1. Exposure to Sun: When the skin is exposed to sunlight, the sun’s ultraviolet B rays hit the surface of the skin. The cholesterol in the skin cells receive the energy for vitamin D synthesis to occur. 10 to 15 minutes of daily exposure to sunlight in every season is sufficient for an average human. However there are various factor that can prevent the body from accepting this method of vitamin D intake. People with darker skin tones may not get sufficient vitamin D. In addition to that, if a person lives closer to the poles, they are more likely to be vitamin D deficient if they only rely on sunlight for it. Also going out in the sun while wearing sunscreen also acts as a barrier and does not allow synthesis of vitamin D.
2. Vitamin D Rich Foods: One can inculcate vitamin D rich food in their diets to make sure that they are not vitamin D deficient even if they do not get enough time in the sun. Some of the vitamin D rich foods are fishes like salmon and tuna, fish oil and egg yolks, infant formula, milk etc. In this case, some of these foods can be allergens for some people and cause allergic reactions. If that happens,the person would not be able to consume them. They can take vitamin D supplements to prevent a deficiency.
3. Supplements:One can take supplements to compensate for the deficiency. It is imperative to consult a doctor before taking any type of supplements so that you can understand what dosage you and your child needs to that you do not overdose. One can conveniently buy them online from 3MEDS, the best online chemist shop in Delhi.
Pregnancy and infancy are very crucial periods of growth in a baby’s life. Therefore they need adequate amount of every nutrient including vitamin D.In case a deficiency occurs, the effect can be seen for a long time. In the younger age, kids can develop rickets and in the older ages, the adults develop osteoporosis. It is best to prevent the deficiency as much as possible or treat it as so as it is detected so that the child is able to recover as fast as possible.
