Whether calcium supplements can prevent rickets
A large number of parents are keen to give their children calcium supplements, mainly to prevent vitamin D deficiency rickets in infants and children. It is understood that due to the high incidence and danger, vitamin D deficiency rickets, iron deficiency anemia, pneumonia and diarrhea have been the four key pediatric diseases in China. Among them, rickets is commonly known as “calcium deficiency” because of the growth retardation and poor bone calcification in children. Bayannur City Hospital Pediatrics Hong Xia
In fact, calcium deficiency is only a manifestation of the disease, the root cause is a lack of vitamin D. Therefore, the key to preventing the disease is to supplement vitamin D. Vitamin D can promote the intestinal absorption of calcium, which is conducive to the deposition of calcium to the bones.
According to the “Recommendations for the Prevention and Treatment of Vitamin D Deficiency Rickets” jointly revised by the Chinese Journal of Pediatrics of the Chinese Medical Association’s Pediatrics Division in 2008, infants should start taking vitamin D supplements from one to two weeks after birth, with 400 international units per day until the age of two.
Article 26 of “Maternal and Infant Health Literacy – Basic Knowledge and Skills (for Trial Implementation)” released by the Ministry of Health recently also suggests that “from birth, infants should take vitamin D supplements of 400~800 IU per day under the guidance of a doctor”.