Growing children need well-balanced diets in order to get the vitamins necessary to support their development. One of the many vitamins children need regularly is Vitamin A, also called retinol. Vitamin A is abundant in many foods, but is also available through nutritional supplements. Consult your child's physician before complementing your child's diet with a vitamin A supplement.
Function of Vitamin A
Vitamin A is credited with helping the development and normal function of the eyes, specifically the retina. It also aids in night vision. Vitamin A is also critical in supporting your child's immune system. In fact, some people refer to vitamin A as the "anti-infective" vitamin because it is so helpful in fighting infections. One way this vitamin prevents infection is by helping your child's body produce white blood cells, which destroy bacteria and viruses. Vitamin A is also important to your child's skin. It helps new skin cells to develop, keeping young skin healthy.
Daily Recommendations
The Institute of Medicine lists varied recommended daily dosages of vitamin A that depend on a child's age. Toddlers age 1 to 3 years are advised to get 1,000 IUs of Vitamin A every day. Children ages 4 through 8 should have 1,320 IUs of Vitamin A every day. Children 9 to 13 should strive for 2,000 IUs of vitamin A every day. You can monitor the amount of vitamin A in the foods you eat and feed your child by reading the nutritional values on food labels.
Sources of Vitamin A
It's possible for your child to get the necessary vitamin A requirements in the food she eats every day. Vitamin A is found in orange vegetables and dark green vegetables, including cantaloupe, apricots, mangos and peaches. Milk, eggs, fortified cereals and liver are also sources of vitamin A.
If you feel your child is not getting enough vitamin A in her diet, consult a nutritionist or a physician to discuss the option of nutritional supplements or changes to her daily menu.
Vitamin A Deficiency
The World Health Organization reports that vitamin A deficiencies are the number one culprit of preventable blindness in youngsters. A lack of sufficient vitamin A also increases the risk of death in children from severe infections. Children who do not get enough vitamin A are also more susceptible to increased risk of dangerous diseases. The WHO also reports that vitamin A deficiencies are most prevalent in low-income countries.
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