Lack of Vitamin D is a Significant Worldwide Health Problem

The latest studies show that about one billion people around the world are deficient in vitamin D, which is essential for the health of many parts of the human body, such as bones, muscles, the brain, and nerves.

Vitamin D deficiency in Jordan

More than 56% of Jordanian children suffer from vitamin D deficiency, and here the importance of raising awareness among parents about how to prevent and treat their children when necessary becomes clear.

Lack of Vitamin D in Children

Vitamin D deficiency in children leads to complications that affect the normal development of the child, including:

1- Weak bones and rickets

2- muscle weakness (difficulty standing and walking)

The importance of vitamin D for children

Vitamin D supports the health of the body in general, and its most important benefits are:

1- Helps the body absorb calcium and phosphorous from food.

2- Necessary for building strong bones and skeletal growth.

3- Contributes to healthy muscle growth and supports normal muscle function.

4- It enhances the performance of the immune system.

5- Necessary for the health and growth of the brain and nerves

Health problems associated with vitamin D deficiency

Vitamin D deficiency in children increases the likelihood of developing some health problems, including:

1- Microbial infections of all kinds

2- Asthma

3- Issues with learning and memory

4- Diabetes 5. Autism

Vitamin D doses for children

Preventive dose

The preventive dose for children 1 year of age and older is usually 1,000 international units daily.

therapeutic dose

As for the therapeutic dose, it is usually 2000 international units daily for a month and a half, and then the child continues on the preventive dose.

Due to the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, taking it in preventive doses is essential, but be sure to check with the doctor or pharmacist closest to you before taking therapeutic doses.

If your child suffers from obesity or any other health problems, or if he is taking other medications, make sure to consult the doctor or pharmacist closest to you before giving him any dose of vitamin D, especially if the child has obesity, other health problems, or is taking other medications.

In conclusion, vitamin D deficiency is a significant global health concern, with widespread implications for both children and adults. The alarming prevalence of this deficiency, particularly in Jordanian children, underscores the need for increased awareness and preventive measures. Adequate vitamin D levels are crucial for the normal growth and development of children, supporting bone health, muscle function, immune system strength, and cognitive abilities. By recognizing the importance of vitamin D and seeking appropriate guidance from healthcare professionals, we can effectively address this issue and improve the overall health and well-being of individuals worldwide.

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Vitamin D and Your Child’s Health

Vitamin D is one of the essential vitamins for your child’s normal growth, in addition to the fact that vitamin D deficiency and the health problems resulting from it are the most common among children. In this article, we will explain to you the importance of vitamin D to your child’s health, the symptoms of vitamin D deficiency, and how to prevent vitamin D deficiency in children.

Vitamin D is essential for your child’s health

Children’s bodies need vitamin D primarily to grow healthy and it has a major role in

1- Vitamin D is essential for normal bone and tooth growth, and its deficiency causes rickets, osteomalacia, and bone deformation

2- Vitamin D is one of the most important vitamins for brain development and growth, and its deficiency causes a lack of focus and poor problem-solving ability in children.

3- Studies indicate that vitamin D helps to raise the body’s immunity and prevent infections.

Symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency in your child’s health

Your child’s health is negatively affected by vitamin D deficiency. Moreover, they usually have asymptomatic, but in cases of severe deficiency, some signs and symptoms may become apparent:

1- Musculoskeletal and bone pain

2- Difficulty walking or standing up

3- Convulsions

4– Feeling unexplained fatigue and exhaustion

Tips to prevent your child from having a vitamin D deficiency

Given the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and the severity of the symptoms resulting from it, we advise you to take the following steps to protect your child’s health:

1- Encourage your child to spend some time in the sun every day.

2- Provide your child with vitamin-rich meals.

3- Utilize Vitamin D Supplements

4- Make sure to consult with a doctor and perform the necessary tests if your child complains of some symptoms of vitamin D deficiency.

Causes of Vitamin D deficiency

You know from reading this article that vitamin D is very essential for your child’s normal growth, but its deficiency is common for several reasons, including:

1- Children are not exposed enough to sun rays

2- children do not consume nutritious, well-balanced foods.

Foods containing vitamin D

Malnutrition is one of the causes of vitamin D deficiency, so be sure to supplement your child’s diet with foods that contain vitamin D to enhance his physical and mental health, such as: 

• Yolk

• Fatty fish

• Fortified milk and dairy products

• Fortified juices, corn, and grains

• Some veggies (e.g. broccoli, and mushrooms)

The body may not get enough vitamin D from foods alone, because they contain trace amounts that do not come close to meeting the daily requirement of vitamin D.

Exposure to sun rays provides you with vitamin D.

Sun rays are the main source of vitamin D, as the body manufactures it as a result of skin exposure to direct sun rays.

By adhering to the following procedures, you make sure that your child is properly exposed to the sun and gets vitamin D without harm.

1- Wearing clothes that expose a good portion of the body (although exposing the face and hands alone will not cure vitamin D deficiency, it may alleviate it).

2- Avoid sunburn, avoid prolonged exposure to the sun; a 15-30 minutes exposure is sufficient, it varies according to skin color, the darker the skin, the more time it takes

3-  Avoid wearing sunscreen because it prevents vitamin D absorption.

4-  Exposure to direct sun rays rather than through a closed window.

5-  The appropriate time for exposure to the sun varies from region to region and changes with the change of seasons. Where the rays that help in the manufacture of vitamin D are available in the summer and spring, and less in the winter and autumn, these rays are often available between ten in the morning and two at noon.

With best wishes for the continued health and wellness of you and your child, remember that your attention and follow-up on your child’s health will prevent him from having many health problems.

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