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Calcium and vitamin D are important nutrients in the formation and development of the musculoskeletal system in children, a deficiency of these two nutrients can increase the risk of many diseases. So, do children need to take more vitamin D after taking calcium?
1. What are the benefits of calcium for the development of children?
In the human body, only about 2% is calcium, concentrated mainly in teeth, a small part is in the blood and extracellular space. However, calcium is a trace mineral that plays an important role in the development of young children. Accordingly, calcium participates in the structure of bones and teeth and is the main component of the body's skeleton. Not only that, calcium also plays an important role in nerve cell transmission, muscle contraction function, blood clotting. Without adequate calcium supplementation, children will experience conditions such as:
Rickets, malnutrition, growth retardation, weak teeth and irregular growth. Nervous suppression, nocturnal fussiness, startling sleep. Severe conditions even cause children to have motor dysfunction.
Canxi đóng vai trò quan trọng đối với sự phát triển của trẻ nhỏ
2. Causes and manifestations in children with calcium deficiency
There are many causes of calcium deficiency in children, some of the main causes can be mentioned as:
During childbirth, the baby is deprived of oxygen or asphyxiated. Sequelae from conditions such as gestational diabetes or gestational poisoning. Improper nutrition of children leads to calcium deficiency. Children do not get regular sunlight, leading to vitamin D deficiency (an important nutrient in the process of helping the body absorb calcium better). Symptoms of children with calcium deficiency are as follows:
When sleeping, you sweat a lot for a long time. Not sleeping well at night or startled, often crying. If children are severely deficient in calcium, it will cause malnutrition, rickets, growth retardation, weak teeth and slow growth. Hair falls out in the shape of a turban at the nape of the neck. Frequent twisting, drinking milk or vomiting.
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3. Do children need to take more vitamin D after taking calcium?
Calcium plays an important role in the development of children, but the body cannot synthesize this substance on its own. Therefore, if you want to supplement calcium for children, you must get it from outside sources. Accordingly, the older the child, the higher the need for calcium supplements, so the mother should be aware of giving her child calcium from an early age. However, if calcium supplementation is not correct, it will backfire, causing children to suffer from diseases such as constipation, kidney calcification, bone pain. Not only supplementing calcium, the mother also needs to add vitamin D to the child so that the child can absorb calcium in the best way. So to the question of parents about whether their children need to take vitamin D after taking calcium, the answer is yes.
Calcium and vitamin D requirements by age are listed in the table below:
4. A reasonable way to supplement calcium for children
Calcium supplements for children, especially newborns, need to follow the instructions of a nutritionist. Absolutely do not arbitrarily give children drugs or take functional foods.
For babies who are still breastfed, breast milk is the main source of nutrition. That is why the mother's diet plays a very important role. In the daily menu, the mother can add calcium-containing substances as follows:
Use a lot of milk and dairy products such as cheese, yogurt,... Grains and seeds such as beans, almonds, cashews, walnuts, sesame seeds,... Dark green vegetables such as bok choy, spinach, spinach,... Aquatic products such as shrimp, crab, snail, mussels,... In addition, it is necessary to absorb vitamin D every morning by sunbathing, so bathing in the morning or afternoon because this is the time when the sun provides the most vitamin D. Children should wear thin clothes for the most effective absorption.
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5. Some issues to note for both mother and baby when supplementing with calcium
Women who are breastfeeding need to absorb about 1000 mg of calcium per day, but due to the postpartum diet, they often have calcium deficiency. Therefore, mothers can also use calcium supplements, but absolutely must follow the instructions of the doctor.
Children over 7 months old who can eat solid foods, mothers should prepare a rich menu to supplement calcium for children in the most reasonable way.
Vitamin D helps children absorb calcium optimally, so while children take calcium, it is completely possible to use vitamin D. In addition, giving children calcium must follow the instructions of a specialist doctor. nutrition. Do not allow children to self-medicate with medicines or supplements without the permission of the doctor.
Vinmec International General Hospital now has a general health checkup package for children. In the health check-up package, your baby will have a comprehensive examination, from eyes, teeth, blood pressure, weight to necessary tests, combined with diagnostic imaging. The examination package helps you check your baby's overall health, screen for symptoms for early detection and treatment if needed.
Customers can directly go to Vinmec Health system nationwide to visit or contact the hotline here for support.
SEE ALSO:
Postpartum calcium supplement guidelines for pregnant women How to know vitamin D supplements for babies at the right dose? Guide to taking care of children with vitamin D deficiency
