Children and adults have the vitamins they need in different units for the healthy functioning of their bodies. While some vitamins can be produced by the body, some must be supplemented by taking them from the outside.
Health professionals especially focus on the diseases caused by vitamin A deficiency in children.
What problems does vitamin A deficiency cause in children?
From the mother’s womb to infancy, childhood and adulthood, the vitamins that should be present in the body of each individual have their own specific tasks. The deficiency of any of these vitamins can negatively affect the health of the person by causing different reactions in the body.
Some vitamins can be produced naturally by the body, while others must be obtained with food.
Taking vitamin supplements regularly from childhood will help strengthen the immune system and make adulthood healthier and more productive.
In particular, experts emphasize that children should take care to meet their vitamin A needs.
Information on the diseases caused by vitamin A deficiency in children are as follows:
- Vitamin A deficiency can cause vision loss in children.
Experts state that a healthy and regular diet helps to strengthen the immune system and reduce the possibility of catching infectious diseases such as flu.
Experts, who draw attention to the importance of eye health, emphasize that vitamin A intake is of vital importance, especially in children.
Studies have shown that 250 to 500 thousand children become blind every year due to vitamin A deficiency, and children who lose their sight die within a year.
The negative effects of vitamin A deficiency on children include:
- visual disturbances
- Weakness in hair and nails
- dry skin
- Fatigue due to weakened immune system
- sore on lips
- redness of the tongue
- decrease in blood volume
- susceptibility to infections
- Dry eye due to decreased tear production
Foods rich in vitamin A include:
Yogurt, fish oil, milk, cheese, parsley, spinach, lentils, leeks, eggs, peppers, watermelon, melons, zucchini, chard, carrots, peas, potatoes, broccoli.
Thus, the importance of regular intake of important nutrients such as vitamin A for the healthy growth and development of children is emphasized.
