VITAMIN D
The body needs vitamin D to absorb calcium. Without enough vitamin D, one can’t form enough of the hormone calcitriol (known as the “active vitamin D”). This in turn leads to insufficient calcium absorption from the diet. In this situation, the body must take calcium from its stores in the skeleton, which weakens existing bone and prevents the formation of strong, new bone.
SOURCE OF VITAMIN D
-Sunlight. Your child's skin produces vitamin D when it's exposed to sunlight.
-Food. Fish oil, egg yolks and fatty fish such as salmon and mackerel contain vitamin D. Vitamin D has also been added to some foods and beverages, such as milk, cereal and some fruit juice.
SIGN AND SYMPTOMS OF RICKETS
- bowed legs
-stunted growth
- bone pain.
-large forehead.
- trouble sleeping.
FACTORS THAT CAN INCREASE A CHILD'S RISK OF RICKETS INCLUDE
-Dark skin. Dark skin has more of the pigment melanin, which lowers the skin's ability to produce vitamin D from sunlight
-Mother's vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy. A baby born to a mother with severe vitamin D deficiency can be born with signs of rickets or develop them within a few months after birth.
-Northern latitudes. Children who live in geographical locations where there is less sunshine are at higher risk of rickets.
-Premature birth. Babies born before their due dates tend have lower levels of vitamin D because they had less time to receive the vitamin from their mothers in the womb.
-Medications. Certain types of anti-seizure medications and antiretroviral medications, used to treat HIV infections, appear to interfere with the body's ability to use vitamin D.
-Exclusive breast-feeding. Breast milk doesn't contain enough vitamin D to prevent rickets. Babies who are exclusively breast-fed should receive vitamin D drops.
HOW TO PREVENT RICKETS?
-Exposure to sun light daily morning and evening for 30 minutes
-use food contain vitamin D and calcium
-lactating mother should receive vitamin D supplements to prevent rickets to their babies.
