Common Vitamin Deficiencies in Children

Vitamin deficiency is a common problem among children in the United States. The following is a short list of common vitamin deficiencies that children develop:

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is oftentimes the vitamin that children lack the most. Many experts have pointed to the rise of video games as a reason why this is so, as children who remain cooped indoors playing these do not get enough exposure to sunlight, the body’s main source of vitamin D. Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency include irritability and delayed growth.

Vitamin C

Insufficient amounts of vitamin C can cause children to have poor appetites, joint pain, and frequent nose bleeds. Severe vitamin C deficiency can cause scurvy. This problem can easily be prevented by eating vitamin C-rich foods such as citrus fruits, tomatoes, and broccoli.

Vitamin A

Children lacking vitamin A typically feel weakness and fatigue faster than children who receive adequate amounts of the vitamin. If vitamin A deficiency is left ignored, children can develop symptoms such as night blindness, scaling of the skin, and respiratory infections.

Unhealthy diets and picky eating habits are typically the main culprits in vitamin deficiency cases among children. Fortunately, using vitamin supplements can easily prevent them from developing any ill effects that a vitamin deficiency can cause. As such, be sure to give chewable multivitamins to your children to keep them happy and healthy.