traviolet (UV) rays from sunlight to activate it.
Breastmilk contains a small amount of vitamin D but that is not adequate for proper infant development; therefore, exclusively breastfed infants should receive a supplement of vitamin D shortly after birth.17 The current American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendations for vitamin D intake is 400 IU per day for all infants, children, and adolescents, beginning the first few days after birth.18
Deficiency of vitamin D is known as rickets and can have severe and lasting effects on children as they grow. Inadequate intake of vitamin D also decreases intestinal absorption of calcium and phosphorus, causing improper mineralization of bones and teeth and resulting in swelled joints, bowed legs, and poor growth during childhood. (See Figure 6.9.)
Iron
A full-term infant is born with iron stores that reflect the mother’s iron levels. If the mother consumes an iron-rich diet during pregnancy, the fetus builds iron stores to last the first 4–6 months of life. By 6 months, a breastfed infant needs an additional iron source, at which time, iron-fortified infant cereals can meet this need. The AAP recommends iron-fortified formula for all formula-fed babies. Preterm infants have lower iron stores at birth that are depleted around 2–3 months of age.19 Human milk is a source of iron, and compared with infant formula, a higher percentage of the iron in breastmilk is absorbed: 50% of the iron in breastmilk is absorbed, whereas only
* Iron is needed for a baby is a god for healthy and blood also development.
Vitamin D plays a critical role in many normal bodily functions as well as fighting against a wide number of health barriers. In an article by Jacqueline Kanopa, studies revealed that exposure to ultraviolet rays play a huge part in Vitamin D production, as well as having preventative effects on a disorder known as rickets; which leads to weakened bones due to lack of Vitamin D. This study supports the belief that exposure to UV rays play a critical role in Vitamin D production, and can be beneficial to those prone to certain
Although breast milk adequately meets most infant's nutritional needs, amounts of Vitamin D may not be sufficient to sustain proper health; this may be especially true if a mother had low vitamin D status during her pregnancy (5). For proper
According to the US National Library of Medicine, “rickets is a disorder caused by a lack of vitamin D, calcium, or phosphate”. What does this mean exactly? Vitamin D, calcium and phosphate are necessary to promote strong bone health. Without these essential components, our bones become brittle and weak. Impaired growth, skeletal deformities, decreased muscle tone, probability of bone fractures and dental deformities are likely.
Other than vitamin D, a healthy mother does not need any additional vitamins or nutritional supplements when breastfeeding. Breast milk does contain some vitamin D, but it may not provide your baby with an adequate amount that is needed. Vitamin D is essential for healthy growth and development. Vitamin D helps babies build strong, healthy teeth and bones (Mayo Clinic). Babies who do not receive an adequate amount of vitamin D are at risk of getting Rickets, a disease that affects the way bones grow and develop, causing them to soften and become weak.
Infant nutrition is vital for growth and development. According to a Web page posted by KidsHealth, “Breast milk contains antibodies, lactose, protein, and fat…,” which are
Without a proper diet or a serious lack of nutrition a person is making his or her self susceptible to all sorts of diseases. All people, young and old, need to have a healthy and nutritional diet if they want to avoid the many diseases caused by poor nutrition. One disease young children are at risk for is rickets. Rickets is caused by a vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus deficiency. Rickets is the softening and weakening of the bones in children. Skeletal deformities and fractures can occur because the bones are so soft and weak. Rickets is seen during periods of rapid growth because during growth a great deal of vitamin D, phosphorus, and calcium are needed. “The predominant cause is a
The body can synthesize vitamin D with the help of sunlight, from a precursor that the body makes from cholesterol. Osteoporosis is, " any failure to synthesize adequate vitamin D or obtain enough from foods sets the stage for a loss of calcium from the bones, which can result in fractures" (Whitney & Rolfes, 2013, p. 349). There are several common risk factors for developing osteoporosis, which lead to the condition of reduced bone density.
Each article analysed, as well as professional interviews indicated that rickets is the leading disease connected to bone deformities such as Genu Valgum (Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, 2014; Bowed legs, Blount's Disease, n.d) This is supported by orthopaedic surgeon Dr David Hermann (Hermann, 2016) who stated in an interview ‘’It can be caused through a fracture, trauma or a disease, a common one of is Rickets.’’ To elaborate, rickets is a vitamin D deficiency common in children; it causes a child to suffer from submissive bones and joints, as well as excruciating muscle pain. Rickets can develop through a number of causes, for example; naturally darker skin and lack of sun exposure. It is a key element to the body because of its ability to break down calcium, ultimately creating strong and healthy bones (Rickets, 2016; Shapiro, F
There are numerous factors that contribute to the development of this horrible disease, but the most important factor is vitamin D deficiency. When the minerals in osteoid crystallize, they require adequate concentration of calcium and phosphate. When the concentration is not at the correct level, ossification does not proceed normally (Huether & McCance, 2008). Vitamin D regulates the absorption of calcium from the intestine. When there is a lack of vitamin D, the concentration of calcium begins to fall (Huether & McCance, 2008). The body begins to regulate this calcium drop by increases the amount of PTH synthesis and secretion (Huether & McCance, 2008). An increase of PTH causes a clearance of phosphate and without the correct levels of phosphate mineralization of the bones cannot proceed in the correct manor (Huether & McCance, 2008). The abnormality of bone growth can occur in spongy and compact bone (Mayo
An infant who is breastfed receives added health benefits compared to a child who is formula fed. In the first few days after birth, the breast milk is comprised of protein, vitamins A and E, and antibodies which help protect the infant from infection. After the first few days, the mature breast milk contains fats and cholesterol, which are essential for the growth and development of the infant’s nervous system, eyes, and brain. It also contains micronutrients calcium and magnesium, which are beneficial to the infant’s growth (Thompson et al., 2010).
To ease the transition through this turbulent period, the newborn needs to be provided with easily digestible and bioavailable nutrition in the form of breast milk or infant formula. The infant depends on a diet of closely regulated composition and does not achieve nutritional independence until weaning.
The first years of life are the most crucial years for brain, immune system and overall physiological development. This is why, it is extremely important to achieve optimal nutrition standards in these early years. Studies have shown that having optimum nutrition in infancy can lead to profound benefits throughout the lifespan of the person. Breastfeeding is extensively recommended, as the best way to achieve the
Skin cells also synthesize melanin, and carotenes, which gives skin its color. The skin also assists in the synthesis of vitamin D. Children lacking sufficient amounts of vitamin D develop bone abnormalities known as rickets; a softening of bones due to deficiency or impaired metabolism of vitamin D, phosphorus or calcium, potentially leading to fractures and deformity.
A study published in Archives of Internal Medicine found that 75 percent or more of American teens and adults are deficient in Vitamin D. That is why we have so many serious illnesses, like cancer, diabetes and heart disease (Huff, 2010).