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The role of vitamin D in the development of newborns. Vitamin D3 is an important compound necessary for the proper development of a newborn, especially its skeletal system. It works by regulating the absorption of calcium and phosphate from the gastrointestinal tract and the excretion of these compounds in the urine.
Vitamin D3 deficiency is a disease called rickets. Its symptoms are: soft occipital bones, diffuse abdomen, delayed overgrowth of the anterior crown, teething disorders and delayed motor development (the child then sits down, stands up and walks).
In extreme cases, there may be a thickening of the bones around the wrists (“rickety bracelets”) and the last ribs (“rickety rosary”). Fortunately, these conditions are practically no longer seen in infants and young children.
In addition to the mother’s milk and modified mixtures, the source of vitamin D is the skin, in which this vitamin is made of the so-called provitamins under the influence of sunlight. In children living in temperate and cold climates, where most of the skin is covered with clothing, the synthesis of vitamin D3 is much lower than in their peers living in warm climates. A similar situation occurs during periods of cloudiness and in smoky urban areas.
The need for vitamin D3 depends on the type of food the newborn / infant receives and on whether his mother took vitamin D supplements during pregnancy. In our climate, the daily requirement for vitamin D3 is 400 IU (international units). Its administration in a newborn should be started from the moment the newborn is 3 weeks old. In the case of a child fed with modified milk, when determining the dose of vitamin D3, the content of this compound in the food should be taken into account. Preterm and hypotrophic newborns (born too lightly) should receive 600 IU of vitamin D3 daily.
It is best to apply the vitamin drops directly to the baby’s tongue. Mixing them with liquid in a bottle or spoon does not guarantee that the measured amount of the vitamin will actually be ingested by the child.
Vitamin D3 should be given to children until their growth is complete, especially in the fall and winter months. This ensures the proper mineralization of bones and teeth (incorporation of calcium and phosphorus compounds into them).
Text: lek. med. Grażyna Słodek