Vitamin D deficiency linked to serious illness in children

Taking 15 minutes of sunbathing in the morning, is it a recommendation that no pediatrician needs a dispensation? care is essential for vitamin D synthesis, related to the absorption of calcium and, therefore, the strengthening of the baby's bones. From the 30 days of birth, he is ready to leave the house and take a walk on the court or even in the garden. But if you're too lazy to take a walk with your child, you'd better keep an eye on the researchers' recent findings.

Two studies that have just been released by Harvard Medical School and the Hospital Children in Ontario show that children with vitamin D deficiency are more likely to become ill and to spend longer hospitalized than those with normal nutrient levels. Both results will be published in the September issue of the journal Pediatrics . The researchers from

Havard evaluated the amount of vitamin D in about 500 children, aged 5 to 9 years. age, hospitalized at the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Boston Children's Hospital for a period of 12 months. They found that two in five children (40%) were vitamin D deficient and that the lowest rates were related to low immunity and more serious illness. In the second study, the authors looked at about 300 children and adolescents , between 11 and 15 years old, who were admitted to the Hospital of Ontario, seriously ill. In this group, nearly 70% of participants were vitamin D deficient and rates were associated with long ICU stays and more serious illnesses. In both studies, vitamin D deficiency has been shown to be more common than has been reported in healthy children and adolescents.

Vitamin D consumption patterns used in the study are recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), which proposes the daily intake of 400 international units (IU) of vitamin D per day. The researchers say that the link between vitamin D deficiency and sicker children is not yet clear and a cause and effect relationship can not be established.

Questions about vitamin D intake

Vitamin deficiency D causes rickets in children and osteopenia and osteoporosis in adults. In addition, studies are published every day pointing out the role of this substance in the prevention of diseases, such as coronary insufficiency and diabetes, for example. Learn how to maintain proper vitamin D levels and protect yourself from these diseases:

How much vitamin D should we consume per day?

According to the US Dietary Reference Intake (DRI), vitamin D intake must obey the following rule: children 1 to 13 years old should ingest 10mcg per day; men between the ages of 13 and 50 should consume 5 to 10 mcg / day; men from 51 to 70 should consume 15 mcg / day; women aged 13-50 should consume 5 mcg / day and women 51-70 years, 10 mcg / day.

In what type of food is vitamin D abundant?

Fish such as tuna, herring and sardines, egg yolks, cod liver oil, whole milk, butter and yogurt are good sources. "This vitamin is present in fatty foods, so it is good to be careful with the amounts of consumption," says nutrologist Roberto Navarro, of the Brazilian Association of Nutrology, in São Paulo.

How much sun exposure is needed for Vitamin synthesis?

Exposure to the sun is key to the body's ability to take advantage of the vitamin D you consume. Sun exposure is recommended three times a week for a period of 15 to 30 minutes for adults. The best time for this is until 10am and after 4pm. Children should spend a maximum of ten minutes under the sun and, at six months of age, can not use sunscreen? the baby's skin is too sensitive to receive this kind of product.

In what cases should supplementation be done?

Blood test indicates when supplementation is required. If vitamin D levels are below 30 nanograms per deciliter, supplementation can be used.

Vitamin D helps in absorption of up to how much calcium?

From 1,000 to 1,500 mg per day for adults and from 1200 to 1500mg per day for children, which are the recommended daily amounts of the nutrient. "Milk and dairy products are the best sources of the mineral, but dark green leaves, sesame seeds, soybeans, sardines, salmon and quinoa are also good sources of calcium," says nutritionist Thais Souza,

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