Children anorexia due to lack of micronutrients

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by Dr. Huynh Bao Toan - Pediatrician - Neonatologist - Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Nha Trang International General Hospital

1. What are micronutrients?

Micronutrients are essential nutrients for the body, in only a very small amount, but play an important role in the process of physical and intellectual development, strengthening resistance and preventing many dangerous diseases. dangerous, especially for young children. Micronutrients include vitamins (A, B, C, D...), minerals (such as calcium, zinc, selenium, iron...), essential amino acids (such as Lysine, Valine, Leucine. ..).
Children with micronutrient deficiencies can have many different problems, one of which is anorexia. Children with anorexia due to micronutrient deficiency are often deficient in B vitamins, zinc, selenium and some essential amino acids (such as Lysine), if not supplemented in time, the ability to metabolize and absorb nutrients will gradually decrease. , the baby always looks tired, health decline.
Currently, the status of children with micronutrient deficiencies is still very common, of which more than 50% of children are severely deficient in micronutrients. This condition is more common in young children, premature babies, children who are not breastfed or have certain diseases such as malnutrition, stunting, infections and parasites.

2. What should be supplemented for children lacking micronutrients?

Children with anorexia due to lack of micronutrients, if not promptly intervened, can lead to many serious health complications. Therefore, parents need to pay attention to supplement the following important micronutrient groups.

2.1. B vitamins

B vitamins (including B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B8, B9, B12) are essential micronutrients for the functioning of the digestive system and help improve resistance. Among them, B1, B2, B5, B6 also have a very important role in metabolism and cellular energy metabolism, promoting appetite naturally for the body. Since then, children lacking this micronutrient often do not have enough energy to develop physically or perform activities of play, study and explore everything around.
Children with anorexia due to vitamin B deficiency are often stunted, growth retarded or have long-term digestive disorders. If not supplemented adequately and timely, children may also suffer from a number of other diseases such as numbness, paresthesia.

2.2. Vitamin D3

Vitamin D3 or Cholecalciferol, this is a natural form of vitamin D that can dissolve in fat, plays a role in promoting the body to absorb calcium and phosphate from the digestive system to build and develop bone structure, teeth. strong. Therefore, children lacking vitamin D3 micronutrients are easy to form rickets. Intervention by supplementing vitamin D3 is effective in overcoming and preventing rickets and osteomalacia in young children.

2.3. Selenium

Selenium is a constituent of the enzyme Iodothyronine Deiodinase, which participates in the synthesis of thyroid hormone, thereby stimulating the body to increase energy metabolism. In addition, selenium also plays an important role in the body's immune system, especially for young children whose immune systems are not yet fully developed.

2.4. Zinc

Zinc is a micronutrient that makes up about 300 different enzymes involved in the synthesis and breakdown of proteins and nucleic acids. In addition, zinc has many different roles in the general functioning of the body such as: supporting balance of taste, increasing appetite, improving absorption of nutrients, strengthening the immune system... thereby helping children's body develop comprehensively both physically and mentally.
Children's anorexia due to micronutrient deficiency is mostly due to zinc deficiency. Currently, about 30% of children are not supplemented, providing enough zinc required for the body every day. Children lacking this micronutrient make skin cells, mucosal cells prone to adhesion, keratinization, thereby reducing the ability to perceive taste, causing children to have poor appetite, anorexia, growth retardation, and stunted growth. pile.

2.5. Lysine

Lysine belongs to the group of 12 essential amino acids of the body and plays an important role in the development of young children. Lysine has the effect of strengthening the immune system, developing digestive enzymes, thereby helping children eat more deliciously.
Besides, lysine is also a micronutrient that enhances metabolism, nutrient absorption and supports height growth. Children lacking lysine micronutrients are easy to fall into anorexia, growth retardation, digestive enzymes and hormones deficiency.

2.6. Taurine

Besides Lysine, Taurine is also an important amino acid, found in many tissues, retinal cells, white blood cells. Taurine has a role in the antioxidant process and protects the body from the effects of radioactive substances. In addition, the amino acid Taurine has a role in the normal development of the central nervous system and the vision system. The important roles of Taurine are irreplaceable. Therefore, children lacking this micronutrient, if not supplemented in time, are very susceptible to retinal damage, impaired vision or, more seriously, loss of vision.

3. How to recognize a child's micronutrient deficiency?

To accurately determine if there is a micronutrient deficiency, parents need to take their child to see a doctor. The necessary information to help the doctor accurately diagnose this condition includes: nutrition (such as exclusive breastfeeding or formula milk, daily milk volume, adequate diet or not... ), the process of growth and physical and mental development of children.
Through the above examinations and information, the doctor will advise parents on measures to change lifestyle, how to prepare food, when to supplement micronutrients from outside for children.
The child's body cannot synthesize micronutrients on its own, but can only supplement it through daily nutrition. However, it is difficult to determine the exact amount of micronutrients children can absorb, so doctors often recommend adding vitamins or minerals to children every day, especially in children with the following factors: a balanced, regular diet of fresh, whole foods; Vegetarian children; Children are anorexic, lazy to eat a variety of foods; The child has a medical condition that affects nutrient absorption such as celiac disease, cancer, cystic fibrosis, or inflammatory bowel disease; The child has undergone surgery to affect the intestines or stomach.

4. Some notes when supplementing micronutrients for children

Micronutrient deficiencies greatly affect the overall health and development of children. However, if the supplement is not correct, it can unintentionally have a bad effect on the child, so parents need to pay attention to some of the following issues:
Supplementing with micronutrients as prescribed by the doctor, avoiding abuse cause overdose and affect the health of children; The additional dose is always lower than the daily requirement, except for children with diseases caused by micronutrient deficiencies who need to take higher doses and must be prescribed by a pediatrician. Therefore, parents need to understand the daily needs of vitamins and minerals of children; Consider choosing products that are full of essential micronutrients but are easily deficient such as vitamin A, vitamins of group B (B1, B2, B3, B6, B7, B12), vitamin C, vitamin D; In order to effectively supplement micronutrients for children, parents need to know more about pairs of micronutrients that effectively support each other, when one of them is lacking, it will affect the ability to absorb the other micronutrients. Examples are vitamin C and zinc, vitamin D and calcium, iron and folic acid. Children with anorexia due to micronutrient deficiency should choose products containing Lysine ingredients; Choosing vitamin supplements specifically for children, ensuring that they do not contain amounts exceeding daily needs, do not have phantom weight gain and do not cause premature puberty; Young children are inherently picky about food, so it is easier to supplement micronutrients in liquid form than tablets; Choosing a reputable manufacturer helps to enhance the effectiveness of micronutrient supplementation for children. Children with micronutrient deficiencies can have many diseases that affect their growth and development. In addition to a reasonable diet, parents can consider adding complementary foods to their children to help them eat better, strengthen their resistance, and develop comprehensively.
You should give your child regular health check-ups right after birth to be monitored, properly supplemented with micronutrients, to prevent anorexia due to micronutrient deficiency.
For more nutritional knowledge and child care for each age, parents should regularly visit the website vimec.com and make an appointment with the leading doctors, pediatric and nutrition experts of the National General Hospital. Vinmec when needing advice on children's health.