Vitamin D Deficiency Also Affects Walking Ability

Turkchem 29 May 2019 44 2 dk okuma

TURKCHEM

Dr. Mehmet Kılıç, Paediatrician at Anadolu Sağlık Merkezi, shared important information about the problems that emerge from vitamin D deficiency. To protect against rickets, which typically results from vitamin D deficiency, you can spend time in the sun for recommended periods and review your diet. Dr. Kılıç noted that vitamin D deficiency appears as a bone disease more frequently in infants aged 6-36 months compared to adults, with symptoms including loss of appetite, failure to gain weight, bone pain, developmental delay, delayed walking and delayed tooth eruption. He stated: "For a healthier lifestyle, it is highly beneficial for children and adults of all age groups, especially during sunny times, to leave enclosed spaces and get adequate sun exposure for appropriate durations." While rickets is rare in developed countries, it occurs in approximately 6 per cent of the 0-3 age group in Turkey. Emphasizing that vitamin D deficiency is a frequently encountered condition in infants of women who have vitamin D deficiency and stayed away from sun exposure during pregnancy, Dr. Mehmet Kılıç, Paediatrician at Anadolu Sağlık Merkezi, said: "The most natural way to prevent vitamin D deficiency is to get sun exposure. For those with chronic diseases, pregnant women and elderly individuals, it is more appropriate to go out in the sun during hours other than 11:00-15:00 when the sun is most harmful, particularly during summer. Infants in diapers should get sun exposure for 10 minutes, three times a week, while mothers should get sun exposure for at least 20 minutes, three times a week, with at least their hands and face exposed."

Caution Regarding Rickets

Dr. Mehmet Kılıç, Paediatrician, said that while rickets can have different causes, the most common reason is vitamin D deficiency. He stated: "As a result of insufficient absorption from the intestines due to this deficiency, rickets manifests itself through the withdrawal of calcium from bones to balance blood calcium and phosphorus, weakening bone structure and reducing bone mineral density." Noting that rickets presents with many symptoms, Dr. Kılıç said: "Loss of appetite, failure to gain weight, muscle cramps, bone pain, developmental delay, late closure of the anterior fontanelle, sweating, delayed walking, delayed tooth eruption, convulsions and seizures, and bone deformities such as leg curvature are among the symptoms of rickets."

Can Progress to Life-Threatening Consequences

Dr. Mehmet Kılıç, Paediatrician, noted that definitive diagnosis can be reached through methods such as hand-wrist radiography and testing blood levels of calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, PTH and 25-OH vitamin D. He stated: "Any delay in diagnosis can progress to irreversible bone deformities and life-threatening consequences such as respiratory distress." Regarding the treatment of vitamin D deficiency, Dr. Kılıç said that rapid recovery is achieved by administering vitamin orally or intramuscularly according to age. He added: "Furthermore, in our country, all newborn infants routinely receive vitamin D supplementation from birth for 1-2 years."