A lack of vitamin D in children leads to the development of dangerous diseases, including rickets. In general, a deficiency of this vitamin is rare, as it is synthesized by human skin during sunbathing. However, in regions with a short sunny day, there is a need for additional intake of vitamin D in the form of dietary supplements and vitamin preparations. Vitamin D for children can be prescribed for prevention as part of vitamin-mineral complexes, it is also prescribed for premature babies for the prevention of rickets and the treatment of this disease.
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Symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency in children
The risk group for vitamin D deficiency is infants of the first year of life, premature babies and babies whose mothers were deficient in this nutrient during pregnancy. Also at risk are people with dark skin, regardless of age, since their epidermis takes longer to synthesize a substance necessary for health.
The main sign of vitamin D deficiency is rickets.
Today, pediatricians rarely encounter such a disease, and all thanks to the prophylactic administration of vitamin D to infants from two months of age.
Vitamin D deficiency in children over two years of age is manifested by the following symptoms:
- constant fatigue;
- lack of energy;
- weak muscle tone;
- sleep disturbances;
- poor appetite;
- decreased immunity;
- violation of the regeneration of the skin and bone tissue.
Deficiency of this nutrient makes bones fragile, because calcium is poorly absorbed without vitamin D.As a result, the child is prone to frequent fractures that do not grow together for a long time. Children recover for a long time after bruises and other injuries.
In infants and children of the first year of life, cholecalciferol deficiency (the second name of vitamin D3) is manifested by the following disorders:
- flattening of the nape;
- slow closing of the fontanel;
- change in the density of the skull bones (become soft);
- muscle hypotension;
- slow growth;
- late teething.
You can notice the symptoms of vitamin deficiency in the second month of a child’s life. The baby is noticeably behind in growth, its fontanel does not close, the muscles of the limbs do not grow stronger, as in healthy children.
Note! With a lack of vitamin D, children begin to keep their heads on their own much later.
A shortage of this substance is most often encountered by breast-fed children if the mother's body lacks vitamin D. This problem occurs less often when mixed with babies, as modern baby food is enriched with necessary vitamins.
At a later age, pronounced kyphosis develops, ribs can be deformed.
List of drugs: which is better
When choosing a drug with vitamin D for a child, the age of the baby should be considered.
- Children in the first months of life need an aqueous solution of colecalciferol, since the vitamin in this form acts softer, and it is more convenient to give it to the child.
- Babies older than one year are most often given an oily solution. The doctor can prescribe fish oil with vitamin D or other drugs, fortunately, they have a pleasant taste and aroma, so children take them with pleasure and are not capricious.
- For children over 2 - 3 years old, chewable tablets and vitamin marmalade "sweets" are intended - preparations with vitamin D, which contain the nutrient itself in the required dosage, natural dyes and sweeteners, as well as gelatin.
Children over two years of age are recommended to take nutrients with calcium and vitamin D3, since calciferol contributes to better absorption of calcium. This combination of nutrients is especially important during the period of active growth of the skeleton and teeth.
The most popular drugs for children:
- "Multi-Tabs D3" - for children from the third week of life and up to two years;
- "Aquadetrim" - an aqueous solution for children from the first days of life;
- Ddrops - liquid water-based vitamin for children from two months;
- Nordic Naturals Baby D3 for young children - water solution for babies;
- Complivit "Calcium D3" drops - a special complex for children older than two months;
- "D-SAN Vitamin D3" - for children over one year old.
If for children up to a year, doctors prescribe pure vitamin D in drops, for babies older than 12 months you can take multivitamin complexes, as well as drugs with fish oil or Omega-3.
The most popular multivitamin agents:
- Alphabet "Our baby" - a complex for children 1 to 4 years old, containing the necessary vitamins, including D3;
- Multi-tabs “Baby” - chewable tablets with strawberry flavor for children over 1 year old;
- Complivit "Calcium D3" - for children over one year old, chewable tablets with a pleasant taste;
- Non-commercial partnership “Omega-3 + Vitamin D” - chewing capsules with tutti-frutti aroma for children over 4 years old.
In order not to make a mistake, giving a child vitamin D should only be prescribed by a doctor. The pediatrician will help you choose the optimal dosage for the baby and determine the duration of the course of taking the nutrient.
Indications for use
The main indications for the use of drugs with vitamin D for children:
- prevention of rickets;
- high risk of nutrient deficiency;
- treatment of rickets;
- Vitamin D deficiency proven by laboratory tests.
As a prophylactic, vitamin D in drops is prescribed for all premature babies. Also, the doctor may recommend taking a nutrient if the baby has a lag in physical development.
Cholecalciferol is prescribed to all children of the first years of life living in the northern regions, since due to the short duration of daylight hours there is a risk of vitamin D deficiency.
Instructions for use and dosage
Dosages are determined by the doctor individually, depending on the indications for vitamin intake. So, for the prevention of rickets and vitamin D3 deficiency, children older than one year are prescribed 400-500 IU of the drug per day. Children up to six months must take 500 IU of nutrient every three days.
Premature babies are prescribed 1000 IU of the drug 2 to 3 times a week for the prevention of rickets. If a nutrient is used to treat rickets, therapeutic doses are selected by the pediatrician. On average, from 1000 to 5000 IU of the drug is prescribed per day.
In pills
Chewable tablets are usually recommended for children, as they have a pleasant taste and are perceived by babies as sweets. These pills should be taken either with meals or immediately after a meal. Most drugs contain a daily dose of vitamin in one tablet, so you need to take them once a day. In the case of the use of the vitamin not for prevention, but for treatment, the dose is selected individually and can reach up to three tablets per day.
In the drops
Vitamin in drops is usually prescribed for newborns. Almost all preparations contain 400 - 500 IU of vitamin in one drop. The bottles are equipped with a convenient dropper dispenser. Typically, the product is added to the milk mixture or water.
To prevent hypovitaminosis, one drop of a solution several times a week is enough, and with rickets, the doses are set individually.
If the drug is added to the milk mixture, it is necessary to ensure that the child drank it in full, otherwise the risk is high that the dose of the drug will be insufficient.
Children older than a year are given the drug separately, after mixing a drop of the medicine with a spoon of water.
It is recommended to take the vitamin after a meal, most correctly, immediately after breakfast - so it is better absorbed by the body.
Daily intake for a child
- The standard dosage of vitamin D for a child of the first year of life is 500 IU per day.
- Babies over one year old can take up to 1,500 IU of nutrient, depending on their general health.
- As a rule, children living in adverse climatic conditions are prescribed increased doses of the nutrient.
The drug is taken in a course of 2 to 4 weeks. For the treatment of rickets, a longer medication may be prescribed.
Contraindications, side effects and overdose
The main contraindications to the intake of nutrients in children:
- intolerance to drugs with vitamin D;
- excess calcium in the body;
- hypervitaminosis of vitamin D;
- renal failure;
- sarcoidosis;
- tuberculosis.
It should be remembered that vitamin D increases the body's ability to absorb calcium, so prolonged intake of the nutrient, especially while consuming a large amount of calcium products, is potentially dangerous for the development of hypercalcemia.
Side effects when taking preventive doses of the drug are a very rare occurrence, since the nutrient is usually well tolerated.
In rare cases, the following adverse reactions may develop:
- arrhythmia;
- increase in blood pressure;
- nausea and loss of appetite;
- loose stools;
- muscle weakness;
- photosensitivity of the skin;
- allergic reactions.
If side effects occur, you should consult your doctor about reducing the dosage of the nutrient.
An overdose of vitamin develops slowly.
Symptoms of hypervitaminosis are as follows:
- headache;
- irritability;
- fast fatiguability;
- muscle cramps;
- psychomotor agitation;
- neuralgia, myalgia;
- stool disorders.
If you suspect an overdose, you should immediately consult a doctor.Long-term use of large doses of nutrients is potentially dangerous for the development of hypercalcemia, which can lead to disruption of the kidneys and urinary system.
It is not recommended to give a vitamin to a child for prevention without first consulting a doctor, since hypervitaminosis is potentially dangerous for a baby.
