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With the stages of child development, many health problems appear that may cause many crises affecting the bodies of our children. Among the most important of these pitfalls, we can mention the case of micronutrient deficiency, which affects the body’s metabolism, and then suffering and complaints of rickets occur. Anemia, malnutrition and many other diseases. So we decided today to learn about what are micronutrients? What are the most important signs that the child suffers from a deficiency of these nutrients?
What are micronutrients?
What are micronutrients?
When talking about micronutrients, we can mention that they consist of two groups:
- Vitamin group (A, B, C, D, E).
- A group of mineral elements (calcium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, iodine)
It is worth noting that these elements are among the most important substances that the body needs in small quantities only, but they play a very important role in the process of growth and intellectual development, maintaining and improving health, and preventing diseases, especially in young children. Therefore, identifying micronutrient deficiencies in children is extremely important and should be highlighted.
Why do children lack micronutrients?
Why do children lack micronutrients?
Many parents have a completely incorrect belief that only children with anorexia and stunting are at risk of suffering from malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies, but in reality any child is at risk of micronutrient deficiencies, even those who are overweight. Or obesity.
In general, young children are vulnerable to micronutrient deficiencies for several different reasons, including:
- Pregnant women do not receive proper healthy nutrition during pregnancy.
- Premature or low birth weight babies.
- Children grow rapidly after birth.
- Children are not properly nourished due to the lack of diversity of foodstuffs.
- Children suffer from digestive system diseases, which leads to poor absorption of nutrients
What are the manifestations of micronutrient deficiency in a child?
What are the manifestations of micronutrient deficiency in a child?
When children lack micronutrients, there will be manifestations such as:
- Slow weight gain.
- Delayed height growth.
- Delayed teething.
- Distress, difficulty sleeping, or stupor and sweating.
- Loss and poor appetite.
- Frequent diarrhea.
- Rhinitis and tracheitis.
- Pale skin.
- Hair loss.
- Brittle nails.
In general, children with micronutrient deficiencies are often easily identified through their eating habits and daily activities. However, when wanting to know exactly what the child lacks and how to supplement it, parents should take the child to the nearest specialist doctor who can examine these health conditions.
What are the health problems that affect children as a result of exposure to nutrient deficiencies?
What are the health problems that affect children as a result of exposure to nutrient deficiencies?
If children suffer from micronutrient deficiencies, it is important to know that this is mainly the responsibility of the parents, because the need for nutrients in the child’s body is not great, but with regard to micronutrients, this is very important.
In more detail, the lack of inappropriate and insufficient multiple micronutrient supplements can lead to many health problems, which are:
1) Calcium and vitamin D deficiency, which results in delayed height growth, rickets, and slow tooth development.
2) Iron deficiency, leading to children suffering from anemia, inflammatory respiratory diseases, and bacterial infections.
3) Vitamin A deficiency, as children become more susceptible to infections, diarrhea, respiratory diseases, corneal dryness, and blindness.
4) Iodine deficiency and the child’s suffering from mental retardation, delayed growth, disability, and exposure to thyroid diseases.
5) Zinc deficiency, which slows down the growth process, loses appetite, reduces the body’s resistance, suffers from infections, malnutrition, and delayed height growth.
Regarding the previously mentioned microelements, it must be known that vitamin D, iron, iodine, and zinc are among the most important vitamins and minerals that children are greatly exposed to deficiency due to improper nutrition. Therefore, it is very important for parents to send their children for micronutrient testing, which helps in early detection and replenishment of deficient nutrients in children.
How can we detect a child’s exposure to micronutrient deficiency?
How can we detect a child’s exposure to micronutrient deficiency?
The easiest way to check the micronutrient content and level of vitamin deficiency in a child’s body is by conducting blood tests. It is worth noting that these tests can be applied to micronutrients such as iron, potassium, calcium, and zinc. If the child is suspected of being deficient in them, he can be transferred to the hospital to undergo some tests.
In general, micronutrient deficiency testing for children is performed through the following basic steps:
- Total blood analysis to diagnose anemia in children.
- Blood iron and ferritin analysis aimed at diagnosing iron deficiency.
- Zinc and magnesium analysis, to diagnose the deficiency of microelements in zinc and magnesium.
- Tests for calcium ions in the blood to detect micronutrient deficiencies affecting the child’s growth.
In addition to testing children for micronutrient deficiencies, parents should also try to commit to regular medical examinations every 6 months to help detect possible diseases early so that timely treatment can be obtained.
We must emphasize that micronutrients are essential for a child’s growth. Although their body needs are in very small quantities, they lead to many serious consequences when they are deficient.
How do we prevent children from developing micronutrient deficiencies?
How do we prevent children from developing micronutrient deficiencies?
To prevent micronutrient deficiencies in children, it is important to start by getting food sources to supplement vitamins and minerals at every meal. Therefore, parents need to try to combine several foods from the 4 food groups: carbohydrates, proteins, fats and vitamins, which are important minerals for children in every meal.
In addition to this, it is also recommended that the nutritional menu be changed regularly from the time children start eating after weaning for the first time. In addition, encouraging children to exercise properly is also a supportive solution to enhance the ability to effectively absorb nutrients.
