- Where do vitamin D deficiencies come from?
- Vitamin D deficiency - what are its symptoms?
- What products contain vitamin D?
- Vitamin in a good dose, i.e. recommended daily intake
Recent studies have revealed large vitamin D deficiencies among Polish infants. Where does vitamin D deficiency come from in children, what are the symptoms of vitamin D deficiency and why is it so important in children's development?
Experts from the Institute "Children's Memorial He alth Institute" in cooperation with the NUTRICIA Foundation have recently carried out a study of the diet and nutritional status of infants in Poland. The results of a blood test of over 300 infants showed that 19% of Polish infants aged 6 months and 32% of children aged 12 months havevitamin D deficiencyin the body.
Where do vitamin D deficiencies come from?
Vitamin D deficiency in the blood results directly from its deficiency in the diet of children. This problem increases with age, which proves that the older the child is, the less importance we attach to the recommended doses - explains Agnieszka Święcicka-Ambroziak, nutrition expert of the NUTRICIA Foundation. All too often mums forget that the average diet does not get enough vitamin D and that additional supply is needed throughout infancy. A study conducted in 2010-2011 by the Institute of Mother and Child in cooperation with the NUTRICIA Foundation confirms the growing problem of vitamin D deficiency with the child's age. It shows that as many as 80% of children aged 1-3 years have a diet deficient in vitamin D.
Valuable Vitamin D
Vitamin D has several important functions in the human body, including affects the absorption of calcium, an important component of bones and teeth, supports the immune, nervous and even cardiovascular systems. Its deficiency during infancy may contribute to the development of irreversible posture defects. In order to grow up to be a he althy person, our baby needs to receive the right amount of vitamin D.
Vitamin D deficiency - what are its symptoms?
What products contain vitamin D?
The most vitamin D can be found in fatty fish such as salmon or herring, as well as in fish oil, milk, cheese, butter and eggs. A significant amount of vitamin D can be found in infant formula, which is enriched with vitamin D as recommended. Vitamin D is also sometimes called "solar vitamin" because it is formed in the skin under the influence of sunlight. Unfortunately, in the Polish climate, such a synthesis may be sufficient only from April to September, between 10.00 a.m. and 3.00 p.m.a condition for full sun exposure. However, since we rather protect infants from direct sun exposure, parents should remember about vitamin D supplementation throughout the year.
Vitamin in a good dose, i.e. recommended daily intake
The recommended daily intake of this vitamin for infants is 400 International Units, or 10 mcg per day. Mother's milk contains very little vitamin D and it is necessary to provide it to the baby in the form of an appropriate preparation. Infants fed with modified milk do not require additional supplementation, as the milk is enriched with vitamin D. Additional supplementation may be required in infants fed in a mixed manner. In this case, the appropriate dose should be determined with the pediatrician. If in doubt, it is worth taking a test to determine the level of vitamin D in the child's blood and consulting the results with a doctor.
The study "Assessment of nutrition and nutritional status of infants aged 6 and 12 months in the Polish population" was carried out on a randomly selected, representative group of 317 infants aged 6 and 12 months. Its aim was to assess the way of feeding infants and eating habits in relation to the infant nutrition scheme in force since 2007, assess the nutritional value of infants' diet and assess the nutritional status of infants based on anthropometric indicators and selected indicators tested in the blood.