Children lack of vitamins can be dangerous, recognize the various symptoms

To fulfill children's nutrition properly, you do not only have to look at the need for macro nutrients such as carbohydrates, protein, fat, and fiber, it is indeed important. But don't forget that your child's micro-nutritional intake must also be fulfilled properly, one of which is vitamins. Actually, how important is its function so that children should not be less intake of vitamins? It is also important to pay attention to the various symptoms of vitamin deficiency in children.

What are the benefits of vitamins for child development?

Vitamins are a group of nutrients that are still needed by the body even though there are not too many of them. The reason is, vitamins function to support the growth and development of the child's body as a whole.

Starting from strengthening the body's immune system, supporting various functions of cells and organs in the body, to supporting brain development. Conversely, when children lack vitamin intake, there will certainly be obstacles in the process of growth and development, even to the point of disrupting their bodily functions

Therefore, it is appropriate to provide a variety of foods to children every day to meet their vitamin needs.

Various symptoms of vitamin deficiency in children

There are 6 types of vitamins with different adequacy rates in each age group of children. Includes vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and K. Based on their solubility, all types of vitamins are divided into 2 groups, namely:

Fat soluble vitamins

As the name implies, fat soluble vitamins are types of vitamins that dissolve easily or dissolve with fat. Interestingly, the benefits provided of fat soluble vitamins tend to be better when eaten together with a dietary source of fat.

Various types of fat soluble vitamins, namely vitamins A, D, E, and K. Lack of intake of these vitamins in children will cause various signs and symptoms, such as:

1. Vitamin A

The need for vitamin A in each age group of children:

• 0-6 months of age: 375 micrograms (mcg)
• Age 7-11 months: 400 mcg
• 1-3 years old: 400 mcg
• Age 4-6 years: 375 mcg
• 7-9 years old: 500 mcg
• Age 10-18 years: male and female 600 mcg

Overall, vitamin A is important for maintaining children's eye health. In addition, meeting children's vitamin A needs also helps prevent infection, maintains healthy skin, nervous system, brain, and bones and teeth.

That is why, inadequate intake of vitamin A in children is at risk of causing vision problems, such as night blindness. If vitamin A deficiency in children continues, it can lead to decreased corneal function, leading to blindness.

Launching from WHO, the risk of attacking infectious diseases such as diarrhea and measles will also increase. Various symptoms when the intake of vitamin A in children is lacking, including:

• Dry skin and eyes
• Difficulty seeing at night and dark places
• Respiratory problems
• Slow wound healing time

Food sources of vitamin A.

Before the deficiency of vitamin A in children gets worse, you should increase your intake of food sources of vitamin A every day.

You can provide animal sources such as eggs, milk, cheese, margarine and fish oil, beef liver, and fish. While vegetable sources can be obtained from carrots, tomatoes, basil leaves, spinach, papaya leaves, and others.

2. Vitamin D

The need for vitamin D in each age group of children:

• 0-6 months of age: 5 mcg
• Age 7-11 months: 5 mcg
• 1-3 years old: 15 mcg
• 4-6 years old: 15 mcg
• 7-9 years old: 15 mcg
• Age 10-18 years: boys and girls 15 mcg

Vitamin D is needed to support various body functions of children. Starting from maintaining healthy bones and teeth, strengthening the immune system, and maintaining a healthy heart and lungs. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for children's vitamin D intake to be lacking, resulting in various health problems.

Children are prone to rickets, which makes the bones soft and easy to bend. The leg bones will usually change shape to the letter O or X. Not only that, insufficient vitamin D intake can cause muscle spasms and tooth decay.

Vitamin D cannot be produced by the body alone, but must be obtained from daily food and sunlight. After exposure to sunlight, then the process of forming vitamin D in the body is active.

Lack of vitamin D intake in children is indicated by the appearance of several symptoms such as:

• Difficulty breathing
• Muscle spasms
• The bones of the skull and legs are soft, and even appear curved
• There is pain and weakness in the leg muscles
• Slow teething
• Hair is loose or damaged
• Prone to respiratory infections

Food sources of vitamin D.

Children who are deficient in vitamin D can be treated by increasing their daily vitamin D intake from food. Food sources that are high in vitamin D are egg yolks, margarine, fish oil, milk, cheese, salmon, corn oil, mushrooms, tuna, and others.

Apart from food, also meet the needs of children who are deficient in vitamin D by frequent exposure to sunlight. For example, basking in the sun in the morning and evening. Or invite your little one to play outside in the morning, when he is old enough.

3. Vitamin E

The need for vitamin E in each age group of children:

• 0-6 months of age: 4 milligrams (mg)
• Age 7-11 months: 5 mg
• Ages 1-3 years: 6 mg
• Age 4-6 years: 7 mg
• 7-9 years: 7 mg
• Age 10-12 years: boys and girls 11 mcg
• Ages 13-15 years: boys 12 mcg and girls 15 mcg
• Age 16-18 years: boys and girls 15 mcg

In sufficient amounts, intake of vitamin E acts as an antioxidant which will help protect body cells from free radical attack. Free radicals are compounds that can cause dangerous diseases, such as cancer.

Conversely, vitamin E deficiency in children can result in neurological and retinal disorders of the eye. The incidence of vitamin E deficiency in children is actually rare. This condition will only appear when the child's body does not get vitamin E intake for a long time.

Lack of vitamin E intake in children is indicated by the appearance of symptoms, namely:

• Muscle weakness
• Vision problems
• Weakened immune system

Food sources of vitamin E.

In order to meet the needs and prevent vitamin E deficiency in children, you should serve foods rich in vitamin E. For example almonds, vegetable oil, tomatoes, broccoli, olive oil, potatoes, spinach, corn, and soybeans.

4. Vitamin K

The need for vitamin K in each age group of children:

• 0-6 months of age: 5 mcg
• Age 7-11 months: 10 mcg
• 1-3 years old: 15 mcg
• 4-6 years old: 20 mcg
• 7-9 years old: 25 mcg
• Age 10-12 years: male and female 35 mcg
• Age 13-18 years: men and women 55 mcg

Vitamin K is needed to help the blood clot process as well as stop bleeding when injured. Compared to adults, vitamin K deficiency is more common in children, especially infants.

This is because the need for vitamin K in adults can be easily obtained from daily food sources, or from the body's formation process.

Meanwhile, in infants, their supply of vitamin K is very low. As a result, the body cannot perform its function optimally to clot blood, which then increases the risk of bleeding.

However, in some cases, children can also be deficient in vitamin K because of taking drugs or having certain medical conditions. Here are some symptoms of vitamin K deficiency in children:

• Skin bruises easily
• A blood clot appears under the nail
• The stool is dark black, or even contains blood

If experienced by babies, vitamin K deficiency can cause symptoms:

• Bleeding in the area of ​​the umbilical cord is removed
• Bleeding from the skin, nose, digestive tract, or other parts
• Sudden bleeding into the brain, which is potentially life-threatening
• Skin color is getting paler day by day
• The whites of the eyes turn yellow after a few days

Food sources of vitamin K

There are various food sources that can help meet your child's vitamin K needs. For example spinach, broccoli, celery, carrots, apples, avocado, banana, kiwi, and oranges.

The content of vitamin K is also found in animal sources, such as chicken, and liver and beef. However, to help restore the condition, doctors will usually give supplements of vitamin K (phytonadione) to overcome the deficiency.

This supplement can be given by mouth (drinking) or by injection if the child has difficulty taking oral supplements. The dose of this supplement usually depends on the age and health condition of the child.

Water soluble vitamins

As opposed to fat soluble vitamins, water soluble vitamins can only dissolve with water and not fat. Water soluble vitamins consist of vitamin B complex (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, and B12), and vitamin C. The following is an explanation for each deficiency of water soluble vitamins in children:

1. Vitamin B1

The need for vitamin B1 in each age group of children:

• 0-6 months of age: 0.3 mg
• Age 7-11 months: 0.4 mg
• 1-3 years old: 0.6 mg
• Age 4-6 years: 0.8 mg
• 7-9 years: 0.9 mg
• Ages 10-12 years: 1.1 mg men and 1 mg women
• Ages 13-15 years: boys 1.2 mg and girls 1 mg
• Ages 16-18 years: boys 1.3 mg and girls 1.1 mg

Vitamin B1 (thiamine) is responsible for preventing complications in the heart, stomach, intestines, muscles and nervous system. But besides that, adequate intake of vitamin B1 can also help increase the body's resistance to disease attacks.

Unfortunately, children who do not get enough vitamin B1 intake may develop beriberi. Some of the symptoms of a child with vitamin D deficiency include:

• Decreased appetite
• Weakened muscles
• Fatigue
• Impaired eyesight

Food sources of vitamin B1

You can prevent vitamin B1 deficiency in children by providing a variety of foods such as beef, eggs, chicken, milk and cheese. Vegetable sources also help meet the needs of vitamin B1, for example oranges, tomatoes, potatoes, broccoli, asparagus, bananas, apples, and others.

2. Vitamin B2

The need for vitamin B2 in each age group of children:

• 0-6 months of age: 0.3 mg
• Age 7-11 months: 0.4 mg
• 1-3 years old: 0.7 mg
• Age 4-6 years: 1 mg
• 7-9 years old: 1.1 mg
• Ages 10-12 years: boys 1.3 mg and girls 1.2 mg
• Ages 13-15 years: boys 1.5 mg and girls 1.3 mg
• Ages 16-18 years: boys 1.6 mg and girls 1.3 mg

Lack of vitamin B2 (riboflavin) in children can cause symptoms such as:

• Sores at the corners of the mouth and lips
• The color changes more to become darker
• Vision problems, such as sensitivity to light, watery, to red
• Dry skin
• Sore throat

Children need sufficient vitamin B2 intake to facilitate the digestion of carbohydrates, fats and proteins as a source of energy. In addition, this vitamin also helps repair damaged body tissue and maintains healthy skin, nails and hair.

Food sources of vitamin B2

Children can get sufficient vitamin B2 from meat, eggs, milk, cheese, nuts, mushrooms, broccoli, asparagus, and rice.

3. Vitamin B6

The need for vitamin B6 in each age group of children:

• 0-6 months of age: 0.1 mg
• Age 7-11 months: 0.3 mg
• 1-3 years old: 0.5 mg
• Age 4-6 years: 0.6 mg
• 7-9 years old: 1 mg
• Ages 10-18 years: boys 1.3 mg and girls 1.2 mg

Lack of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) in children can cause various symptoms, including:

• Weak immune system
• Swelling or sores around the mouth, lips, and tongue
• Dry, cracked lips
• Rash on skin
• Fatigue
• Body spasm

Food sources of vitamin B6

That is why it is important to have adequate intake of vitamin B6 for children so that they are not deficient. Food sources of vitamin B6 include fish, potatoes, chicken, beef liver, nuts, and some types of tamarind.

4. Vitamin B12

The need for vitamin B12 in each age group of children:

• 0-6 months of age: 0.4 mg
• Age 7-11 months: 0.5 mg
• Ages 1-3 years: 0.9 mg
• Age 4-6 years: 1.2 mg
• 7-9 years old: 1.2 mcg
• Age 10-12 years: boys and girls 1.8 mcg
• Age 13-18 years: boys and girls 2.4 mcg

Vitamin B12 deficiency in children will cause symptoms such as:

• Mild headaches
• The body is weak and tired
• Heart beat
• Hard to breathe
• Pale skin
• Experiencing diarrhea and constipation
• Decreased appetite
• Nerve problems such as numbness, tingling sensation, muscle weakness, and difficulty walking
• Impaired eyesight

Judging from the adequacy rate, the need for vitamin B12 has increased in several age groups. This is because this vitamin is needed for the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and fats. Especially to help the production of sheaths in the nervous system (myelin) and nerve fibers.

Food sources of vitamin B12

You can help prevent your child from deficient in vitamin B12 by providing a variety of food sources. For example beef, chicken, beef liver, milk, cheese, egg yolks, tuna, milkfish, and others.

5. Vitamins B3, B5, B7, and B9

The need for vitamins B3, B5, B7, and B9 respectively in each age group of children:

• 0-6 months of age: 2 mg, 1.7 mg, 5 mcg, and 65 mcg
• Age 7-11 months: 4 mg, 1.8 mg, 6 mcg, and 80 mcg
• Ages 1-3 years: 6 mg, 2 mg, 8 mcg, and 160 mcg
• Age 4-6 years: 9 mg, 2 mg, 12 mcg, and 200 mcg
• 7-9 years: 10 mg, 3 mg, 12 mcg, and 300 mcg
• Ages 10-12 years: boys 12 mg and girls 11 mg, men and women 4 mg, men and women 20 mcg, and men and women 400 mcg
• Ages 13-15 years: men and women 12 mg, men and women 5 mg, men and women 25 mcg, and men and women 400 mcg
• Age 16-18 years: men 15 mg and women 12 mg, men and women 5 mg, men and women 30 mcg, and men and women 400 mcg

Just like other B vitamins, the needs of vitamins B3, B5, B7, and B9 in children should also be fulfilled properly. However, cases of children lacking some of these vitamins are rare.

If any, the symptoms usually vary depending on the type of vitamin that is not sufficient in the child's body. In particular, children who are deficient in vitamin B3 usually have problems with their throat and stomach. For example, feeling nauseous, vomiting, and experiencing diarrhea and constipation.

Meanwhile, a deficiency of biotin (vitamin B7) results in damaged and scaly scalp. Another case with vitamin B5 deficiency which causes complaints in the form of insomnia, nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps, and numbness in several parts of the body.

On the other hand, a child who is deficient in vitamin B9 will show symptoms of fatigue, swelling of the tongue, and growth problems.

6. Vitamin C

The need for vitamin C in each age group of children:

• 0-6 months of age:
• Age 7-11 months:
• 1-3 years old:
• 4-6 years old:
• 7-9 years old: 45 mg
• Ages 10-12 years: boys and girls 50 mg
• Ages 13-15 years: boys 75 mg and girls 65 mg
• Ages 16-18 years: boys 90 mg and girls 75 mg

Adequate intake of vitamin C in children can help form and repair red blood cells, bones and body tissues. That's not all. The health of the child's gums is always maintained, accelerates wound healing, increases immunity, and prevents infection.

In fact, vitamin C plays an important role in supporting the absorption of iron minerals in food sources. That is why vitamin C deficiency can cause various symptoms in children, in the form of:

• The wound heals longer
• The joint is painful and swollen
• Weakened bones
• Often experience bleeding gums
• Easy canker sores
• Red hair follicles

Food sources of vitamin C

In order not to become deficient, or want to treat the lack of vitamin C intake in children, there are various food sources that you can provide. Includes guava, orange, papaya, kiwi, mango, tomato, banana, strawberry, broccoli, peppers and spinach.

Is it necessary to provide vitamin supplements for children?

Vitamin supplements are usually recommended when the child has a severe enough vitamin deficiency. In other words, vitamin supplements cannot replace natural vitamin intake that must be obtained from food.

Because just one type of food can actually contribute a number of vitamins and various other nutrients. Take oranges, for example, which one meal can provide you with vitamin C, folic acid, calcium and fiber.

Although the amount of daily needs of children is not too much, the intake of food sources of vitamins must still be regular and as needed. Most of the vitamins are not produced by the body, except for vitamin K, which is produced by bacteria in the intestines.

It is important to understand, as long as the child's appetite and appetite are good, accompanied by a complete daily diet, there is no need to provide vitamin supplements. However, in some cases, vitamin supplements are recommended when:

• Children have difficulty getting enough vitamin intake, for example because they experience impaired absorption of nutrients.
• The child is sick and has a decreased appetite. Supplementation aims to meet nutritional needs.
• Children who just recovered from illness. After the condition begins to improve, you should reduce the supplementation and stop when the child is completely healthy.
• Children find it difficult or don't want to eat. Usually it happens because you are bored with the daily menu, are teething, are sick, and so on.
• Children are thin or have difficulty gaining weight. In this case, it is necessary to consult a doctor first. The doctor will later determine the dosage and the rules for giving children's vitamin supplements according to their needs.

In addition, pay attention to how to give vitamin supplements to children. Children who are able to swallow properly can be given supplements in the form of gummy or oral tablets (drinking). Meanwhile, for children less than 3 years old, vitamin supplements can be given in liquid form so that the child does not choke.

x