Vitamin Deficiency Symptoms in Children

Vitamin is an essential nutrient required in tiny amounts for vital body functions.



These are bio-molecules that act as a catalyst in performing those metabolic reactions.

Vitamins are mainly divided into fat soluble vitamins and water soluble vitamins. Fat soluble vitamins are Vitamin A, D, K, and E are classified as fat-soluble vitamins, whereas water soluble vitamins are Vitamin C and B complex.

Vitamin D and K are normally synthesized by the body but rest of the vitamins is provided through the food we eat. It is very essential to feed your children with nutritious foods to combat the symptoms of vitamin deficiencies in children. If children are fussy eaters, then add vitamin supplements to their diet. Ensure that they are fulfilling complete nutritional requirement of their body either through real food sources or supplements.

Inadequate diet and certain medical conditions can deprive children’s body of certain vitamins that lead to vitamin deficiency in children. Deficiency of Vitamin A can lead to night blindness and dry eye. It also hampers proper functioning of the immune system, resulting in high mortality rate. Suffering from Vitamin deficiency, children show signs of tiredness, hair loss, weakened muscle, joint pain, swelling, fatigue, weight loss and memory loss.

Vitamin B deficiency can greatly influence the nervous system, affecting the nerve transmission and functions of the brain. Children with this deficiency are at a greater risk of heart diseases. Deficiency of Vitamin B12 results in stress, frustrations, depression and loss of memory.

There are children who are greatly affected by the symptoms of scurvy.



This is because of the deficiency of Vitamin C in their body. They most common symptoms include inflammation and bleeding of gums. Deficiency can also lead to joint pains, dry skin and damaged hair.

Children with deficiency of Vitamin D are more prone to growth retardation and skeletal deformities. It disturbs the process of calcium absorption in the body and eventually leads to rickets.

Deficiency of Vitamin E and K is not so common because they are synthesized by the body. Only if a child has problem in absorbing the dietary fats, he tends to show the symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency. While, deficiency of Vitamin K occurs when there is excessive bleeding of wounds.

Kids vitamin deficiency is common in under developed and developing countries. Necessary actions should be taken to improve the condition and prevent mortality.

Vitamin D is known as the sunshine vitamin. This is a fat soluble vitamin which is created by exposure to the sun. The body synthesizes vitamin D as a response to the sun. This is an essential vitamin as it keeps your bones healthy and also produces hormones that regulate the use of calcium throughout the body. Vitamin D plays a vital role in growth and development.



It is therefore necessary to look for vitamin d deficiency symptoms in children. Vitamin D deficiency in symptoms in children includes low calcium levels in the blood, difficulties in breathing, muscle cramps in babies and so on.

Vitamin D3 Deficiency:

Vitamin D3 deficiency symptoms do not differ very much from Vitamin D deficiency symptoms as D3 is another form of Vitamin D. There could be many causes of Vitamin D3 deficiencies. These include but are not limited to milk allergies, shunning the sun, inadequate intake of the vitamin if you are vegetarian and so on. Vitamin D3 deficiencies symptoms in women are mood changes, depressive behavior, seasonal affective disorders. Menopausal women who have vitamin D3 deficiency are at risk for osteoporosis. Constantly feeling tired, muscle pain, a decreased quality of sleep are other symptoms.

Effects of Vitamin D Deficiency:

The harmful effects of a vitamin D deficiency affect both adults and children, and more so for women, during pregnancy. Symptoms of bone and muscle pain could mean that you are deficient in this vitamin. Low blood levels of this vitamin have been linked to cancer, osteoporosis, increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease, cognitive asthma in adults. Research has shown that mothers who taken a vitamin D supplement during pregnancy give birth to children who have higher bone mineral content as they grow older.

Vitamin Deficiency Anemia:

Your body needs several vitamins in order to stay healthy.



If your body lacks certain vitamins or is deficient in them, you could develop vitamin deficiency anemia. Symptoms of this vitamin deficiency anemia include:

• Muscle weakness

• Forgetfulness or mental confusion

• Weight loss

• A pale of yellowish skin

• Numbness or tingling in your hands and feet

• Fatigue

• A sore mouth or tongue

• Irritability

• Diarrhea

• Weight loss

These symptoms may be subtle initially but become more pronounced as the deficiency worsens.

Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency:

Vitamin B12 deficiency results from chronic intestinal infestations or hereditary problems and could give rise to health problems such as insomnia, eye disorders, anemia and hallucinations. Symptoms of vitamin B 12 deficiencies in children include pallor, losing their voice, vomiting, abdominal pain, irritability and edema. Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency in women are constipation or diarrhea, fatigue, depression, dementia, weight loss, bleeding gums, feeling weak, tired or lightheaded, a poor sense of balance, numbness or tingling in the fingers and toes and so on. As soon as you experience any of the symptoms of Vitamin B12 deficiency it is necessary to visit the doctor.

Vitamin D Deficiency in Children:

Vitamin D deficiency in children is a common problem. Most foods contain very little vitamin D and this vitamin is mostly made by the skin due to exposure to sunlight. This vitamin is important for strong bones, growth and good health too. Vitamin D deficiency occurs when there is not enough vitamin D in the body. Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency in children include irritability, tooth delay ( late teething), poor growth, seizures, breathing difficulties and muscle cramps ( in babies). Children who suffer with a severe deficiency can develop rickets which results in their legs being bow legged. Such children are also more prone to infections and respiratory problems.



Treating the deficiency depends on the child’s age and is usually given in supplement form.

Vitamin A Deficiency in Children:

Vitamins are necessary for good health and normal metabolism as well. Deficiencies in any vitamin will lead to corresponding health problems. Vitamin A is needed for the proper functioning of the immune system. Symptoms and signs of vitamin A deficiency include an impaired dark adaptation of the eyes, dryness and thickness of the corneas, drying, scaling of the skin and respiratory infections. Vitamin A deficiency in children is known to cause blindness and severe visual impairment and also increases the risk of severe illnesses.

Iron Deficiency in Children:

Iron deficiency in children is caused due to insufficient intake of iron. Symptoms of iron deficiency in children include a decreased appetite, irritability, fatigue and weakness, a feeling of lightheadedness or dizziness, mucous membranes and pale skin, and a new heart murmur or a rapid heartbeat. In rare cases, the child may develop a craving for paint chips, dirt or chalk. Treatment may include dietary changes as well as iron supplements, depending on the severity of the deficiency.

Causes of Vitamin D Deficiency:

There are several causes of Vitamin D deficiency in children. These include:-

• Limited Exposure to Sunlight: The sun is an important source of Vitamin D.
  
  
  
  

• A Dark Complexion: The pigment melanin reduces the skin’s ability to make vitamin D when exposed to sunlight.

• Inadequate Consumption of the Vitamin: This is generally more in the case of vegetarians as natural sources of this vitamin are egg yolks, beef liver, cheese, and fish oils.

Vitamin Deficiency Symptoms in Children:

Vitamins are important to maintain the health of the human body. It is necessary to have sufficient intake of all the vitamins from childhood itself to avoid any kind of deficiency. Deficiency in any one vitamin will give rise to corresponding illnesses. Vitamin deficiency symptoms in children depend on the vitamin they are deficient in. Vitamin A deficiency can lead to night blindness and dry eyes. Other symptoms could include fatigue, joint pain, hair loss and so on. A deficiency in Vitamin B would affect the nervous system. Symptoms of scurvy may develop as well if children are deficient in Vitamin C. Children who are deficient in Vitamin D are likely to develop rickets and are more prone to growth retardation. Deficiencies of Vitamins E and K are not as common as these are synthesized by the body.

B12 Vitamin Deficiency:

Vitamin B12 is necessary for the proper functioning of the brain and nervous system. There are many causes which could lead to a deficiency of Vitamin B12. Apart from aging and inadequate dietary supplements of this vitamin, certain medical illness could also be responsible for a deficiency. These include but are not limited to atrophic gastritis, Crohn’s Disease, and Blind Loop Syndrome.