Vitamin D is essential to a child’s development. Recent studies reveal some alarming facts after a Vitamin D deficiency in youngsters. More than 20% of kids aged 1-11 have a significant lack of this vitamin.
A report published in the Pediatrics review unveiled the results of a study was done on children aged 1 to 10 and a half. It took into account babies who were exclusively breastfed, those who were both breast and bottle fed, as well as babies who only took bottles.
Only 5 to 13% of breastfed children received the daily recommended dose of Vitamin D. 9 to 14% of children who were both breast and bottle fed got enough. Only 20 to 37% of bottle fed children received enough Vitamin D.
This vitamin is essential, especially for children’s bone development. It also protects from infections and diseases such as diabetes and some cancers. It was noted that children with a vitamin D deficiency had higher blood pressure and cholesterol levels. It also increases the chance of being overweight.
Lead author of the study Cria Perrine said, "We have to educate moms and the health-care community that vitamin D supplementation is something that they should do and recommend."
Babies can take Vitamin D drops or in liquid multivitamin form. Exposure to a bit of sunshine is also a good way to generate Vitamin D. Experts stress that breastfeeding does not provide enough Vitamin D.