ROLE OF VITAMIN D IN BABIES

• 1in every 3 indians suffer from vitamin D deficiency 

• More than 7 out of 10 infants suffer from vitamin D deficiency 

• More than 8 out of 10 mothers are deficient in Vitamin D

Vitamin D helps in maintaining innate immunity and preventing diseases such as Diabetes and Cancer 

• Main cause of Vit D deficiency is 

• lack of sunlight exposure 

• and a lower dietary intake. 

RARE SIGN OF VIT D DEFICIENCY 

Head sweat [sweat around scalpy area]. Mothers who observe this in infants must immediately reach out to the pediatrician to ask about Vitamin D Supplementation.

COMMON SIGNS OF VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY 

Rickets is observed between 3 and 18 months of age as a sign of extreme vitamin D deficiency.

Rickets is manifested as bone pain, poor growth and skeletal deformities such as bowed legs,curvature of the spine, thickening of ankles, wrists and knees. Children with rickets have high chances of bone fractures.

BEST SOURCE OF VITAMIN D 

1 - Sunlight – Exposure to bright sunlight with head, neck and hands not covered for 15-20 minutes a day between 11am to 2pm will help in synthesis of Vitamin D.

2- Food Sources – Fatty fish, mushrooms, eggs, almonds and spinach. Cooking measures using short cooking times and baking can help preserve Vitamin D.

Breastmilk usually does not provide all the vitamin D a baby needs. Hence, breastfed babies will need Vitamin D supplements 

HOW MUCH VITAMIN D DO BABIES NEED?

• 0-12 month – 400 IU per day 

• 12-24 months- 600 IU per day