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Every child needs enough nutrients for normal growth and development. Depending on age, the ratio and quality of fat, protein and carbohydrates must be sufficient to meet the needs of the body. In addition, vitamins and minerals in the diet are important for the body to grow properly and for the growth of organs. The most common deficiency condition in early childhood is hypocalcemia (calcium deficiency). Calcium deficiency in children can lead to serious complications, such as sudden bone fractures, convulsions, and delayed development of the bone and nervous system.
Causes of calcium deficiency
For normal levels of calcium in the child's body, the daily dose of calcium in the diet should be 500-1000 mg. Breastfed infants receive adequate amounts of calcium from breast milk, and additional calcium supplements may be needed during this period. Significant decrease in calcium in the blood leads to rickets in children and its complications. As mentioned above, breastfed babies get calcium from breast milk, which means that the products the mother consumes should be rich in calcium.
In the first year of childhood, calcium is not only deficient due to low intake with food, but also due to a lack of vitamin D3 in the child's body. Vitamin D3 plays an important role in calcium absorption. According to the guidelines of the World Health Organization, every breastfed child should receive vitamin D3 in the form of a solution, in addition, in the autumn-winter period. In the spring-summer season, vitamin D3 is synthesized independently in the child's body under the influence of sunlight. Taking additional vitamins during this period leads to an increase in its amount in the body, which can lead to hypervitaminosis.
In the later stages of childhood, hypocalcemia is often caused by diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (gastritis, colitis, intestinal dysbiosis, etc.), as a result of impaired gastric absorption function (antacids, sorbents) as a result of taking certain drugs.
Normal amount of calcium depending on age
- From birth to 6 months - 400-500 mg;
- From 7 months to 1 year - 700-700 mg;
- From 1 to 10 years - 700-900 mg.
Calcium does not accumulate in the body through food. Because excess calcium is excreted through the intestines and kidneys. Excess calcium taken in addition accumulates in the kidneys and can lead to stone formation.
Clinical manifestations of hypocalcemia
Only a doctor can diagnose calcium deficiency in children who have not yet learned to walk. The first signs of calcium deficiency in breastfed children may be:
- Excessive sweating, especially at the top of the head;
- Hair loss in areas of the head that come into frequent contact with the pillow;
- Tremor (strain) condition - the area of the chin when crying;
- Annoyance and crying when hearing loud noises.
If the calcium deficiency coincides with the period when the child begins to sit and walk, then pathological curvatures and curves in the spine occur. In the later stages of childhood in hypocalcemia there is an increase in bone fragility, migration of nails, cracks in the corner of the mouth, convulsions, anemias, deformities of the joints.
Some tests can be used to detect a lack of calcium in the body and the onset of seizures:
- If the corner of the child's mouth is lightly touched with a fingertip, the child's mouth trembles, which is a sign of calcium deficiency;
- If the middle third of a child’s shoulder bone is squeezed by hand, the child’s fingers will tingle. This condition indicates a severe level of calcium deficiency in the child's body.
Consequences of calcium deficiency
Calcium is an essential element for child development and normal growth. Insufficient intake of nutrients or impaired gastrointestinal absorption can lead to rickets in children. There are several stages of the disease, and each of them manifests itself in different ways - in the early stages of rickets in children appear common symptoms of calcium deficiency: skin hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), hyperexcitability (convulsions, convulsions) ), hair loss as a result of prolonged contact. Deformities by the skeletal system are not observed at this stage of the disease.
In the absence of special treatment, rickets escalates to the next level. This is primarily due to dyspeptic syndromes (vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea) and changes in the bone. At the same time, as a result of a decrease in the tone of the muscles of the anterior abdominal wall - the appearance of a "frog" abdomen. Asymmetry of the skull in children by the skeletal system, non-closure of the vertebrae, softening of the margins, deformities of the sternum (thoracic chest), curvature of the spine (kyphosis, scoliosis), deformities of the legs (X or O-shaped leg) such changes are clearly visible.
Ignoring the disease and not treating it in time can lead to the child becoming disabled and physically and mentally retarded. The most common complications of rickets are: rough deformity and curvature of the spine, large skull, changes in taste, ie confusion, changes in gait as a result of curvature of the legs, chest and sternum deformity, impaired normal function of the heart and lungs, flat pelvis (girls have difficulty giving birth in the future), impaired visual acuity (myopia).
Calcium deficiency in preschool children manifests itself in the form of frequent bone fractures. This is compounded by cases of joint deformities and anemia.
Diagnosis of calcium deficiency
If you notice the first signs of rickets or the onset of convulsions, consult a doctor immediately. To check the amount of calcium:
- Total blood test, the amount of hemoglobin in it;
- Study of the amount of calcium excreted in the urine by urinary Sulkovich test in children;
- Checking the amount of calcium in the peripheral venous blood - the normal value in children under 6 months is 2,25-2,5 mmol / l.
Treatment and prevention of calcium deficiency in children
The amount of calcium a woman consumes during pregnancy and after giving birth should be sufficient. Prevention of calcium deficiency in children should begin from the time of its birth. Every pregnant woman should take vitamin D28 every day for 32-3 weeks, starting at 6-8 weeks of pregnancy. Even when a baby is born healthy, he or she should take vitamin D2 from the age of 3-3 months for prophylaxis. In the autumn-winter period, a prophylactic dose of 500 DB of vitamin D3 to each healthy newborn ensures that rickets does not occur. The choice of drugs and their dosage is determined by a physician. There may be exceptions to the use of vitamin D3 in children who are on artificial nutrition, depending on their individual characteristics.
The effect of vitamin D3 is known only when the body receives enough calcium. Children's diet must include nutrients such as dairy products (cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt, milk), dried fruits, milk chocolate. Vitamin D is stored in ready-made butter, beef liver and egg yolk. In addition, in the early stages of rickets, it is advisable to take measures to increase muscle tone and normalize bowel function in children, such as taking various baths, walking in the open air, therapeutic gymnastics and massage. Probiotics may also be recommended if the normal intestinal microflora is disrupted and dysbiosis occurs.
If the body does not get enough calcium with food, it is possible to give artificial calcium-containing drugs, only on the advice of a doctor. You can also use capsule preparations of fish oil, a substance that increases the absorption of calcium in the body. Independent, self-directed treatment of hepatic insufficiency can lead to serious complications: from constipation to renal insufficiency, resulting in the risk of developing urinary stone disease in childhood. Consult your family doctor once a month to help your children grow and develop normally! Bless you!