Rickets is a chronic nutritional disease characterized by skeletal deformities caused by a deficiency of vitamin D in infants, children, and adolescents. How can we prevent rickets? Here are some methods:
Causes of Rickets
Rickets, also known as vitamin D deficiency rickets, is mainly caused by a lack of vitamin D in the body, leading to a disturbance in calcium and phosphorus metabolism.
In infants, rickets is mainly caused by a lack of vitamin D. Infants who are breastfed or formula-fed, as well as children who drink 400 milliliters of milk every day, generally do not lack calcium and do not need additional calcium supplements.
When the body has sufficient vitamin D, it promotes the absorption of calcium and phosphorus, as bone development relies on these minerals. Vitamin D plays a crucial role in calcium and phosphorus metabolism, while other hormones such as parathyroid hormone and calcitonin actively participate in calcium and phosphorus metabolism. The interaction between hormones maintains normal calcium and phosphorus metabolism and normal bone development.
Therefore, it is important to supplement vitamin D in the treatment of rickets. Vitamin D can be obtained through sunlight exposure, food intake, and vitamin D supplements.
Prevention of Rickets
Supplementing cod liver oil and calcium is one effective method of preventing rickets.
During the first six months of life, infants experience a physiological calcium deficiency period and need to supplement calcium regardless of whether they have symptoms or not.
However, calcium supplementation alone is not enough; it needs to be absorbed fully. Vitamin D helps with calcium absorption.
The amount of vitamin D in food is very limited, and infant diets are often monotonous, so only a small amount can be obtained from food.
Sunlight exposure promotes the conversion of a substance in the skin to vitamin D, which is the safest way to supplement vitamin D and does not cause vitamin D toxicity.
It is important to note that sunlight exposure should be done outdoors and not through glass, as ultraviolet rays cannot penetrate glass.
In addition, the immature gastrointestinal function of infants can also affect absorption. It is recommended to supplement some beneficial bacteria to the intestines while supplementing calcium.
Supplementing vitamin AD (cod liver oil) while supplementing calcium can help increase the absorption of calcium. However, excessive consumption of cod liver oil can cause toxicity.
Acute vitamin A and D toxicity can cause increased intracranial pressure, manifested as headache, nausea, vomiting, irritability, mental fatigue, and bulging fontanelles, often mistaken for meningitis.
Chronic toxicity manifests as loss of appetite, fever, diarrhea, angular stomatitis, hair loss, itching skin, anemia, and increased urine output.
If any of the above symptoms occur, stop taking cod liver oil, minimize sunlight exposure, and seek medical attention immediately.
