How to understand if a baby is deficient in vitamin D

Experts named 6 symptoms of vitamin D deficiency in infants. Timely diagnosis of this disorder will help protect the child's health from numerous troubles.

If your child is under a year old, then they need at least 5 micrograms of vitamin D every day. Otherwise, in a rapidly growing child's body, serious disorders may occur, primarily affecting the development of bones. In recent times, a deficiency of this vitamin caused whole epidemics of rickets in babies. Here are 6 signs your toddler is experiencing some vitamin D deficiency.

Deformation of the bones. Babies with vitamin D deficiency usually have slightly bowed legs. They may have a curvature of the spine, which is reflected in their appearance. All this is observed if the child does not receive the amount of vitamin D necessary for normal bone development.

Dents or dimples on the head. The final formation of the skull is completed within the first 19 months after delivery. Vitamin D deficiency can slow it down significantly. If you touch your baby's skull, you will notice that it is still very soft. Also in this case, dents or dimples on the head are noted.

Pain and muscle weakness. If you notice that it can be quite difficult for your baby to crawl or sit for a certain period of time, then this can be caused by pain or muscle weakness due to rickets. These children are also more irritable.

Recurrent infections. Numerous studies have linked repeated, recurring infections in infants with vitamin D deficiency. If your baby catches colds and flu too often, ask the pediatrician to take x-rays to determine the amount of vitamin D in the body.

Rickety "rosary" or "bracelets". As noted in the first point, bone deformity is the most common symptom of vitamin D deficiency. Have you noticed that the baby's ribcage is bulging out too much? Osteomalacia of the chest, lower extremities, excessive osteogenesis - these are the very rickets "rosary" caused by calcium deficiency in the body.

Delays in development.  In more severe cases of vitamin D deficiency or rickets, babies experience delays in normal development. Not only are they unable to walk and maintain their weight, but they also suffer from swelling of the limbs.