Vitamin D helps your child's body absorb calcium, which contributes to bone and teeth health. It is also necessary for nerve transmission. Without it, your child can develop a deficiency that leads to bone-softening disease. It is important to understand the signs of vitamin D deficiency, as well as the amount that your child needs each day.
Rickets
A vitamin D deficiency leads to rickets, a condition characterized by soft, brittle bones and skeletal deformities. Signs of rickets include delayed growth, weakness and thickened ankles and wrists. It might also cause your child to experience bowed legs. Rickets is treated gradually with vitamin D supplements.
Recommended Amount
The amount of vitamin D that your child needs each day depends on her age, because babies need slightly less than toddlers and older children. During the first year of life, your child needs 400 IU of vitamin D. From ages 1 to 18 years, she needs slightly more at 600 IU a day.
Sources
Vitamin D is found naturally in mushrooms, egg yolks and fatty fish such as tuna and salmon. Juice, yogurt and milk are often fortified with vitamin D as well. Your child's skin converts sunshine to vitamin D, so spending time playing outside will help him to get some of the vitamin in his body.
Recommendations
Your child should be able to get enough vitamin D from her diet, but some circumstances can place her at risk for a deficiency and developing rickets. According to the Office of Dietary Supplements, babies who are exclusively breastfed may need a vitamin D supplement. If your child does not get enough time outdoors or if the area you live in does not have much exposure to sunlight, she may be low in vitamin D. If you are unsure if your child is at risk for a deficiency, talk to her doctor.
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