Patient's question:
Currently, in most cases: After testing trace elements, nothing is lacking, but I want to ask how to know if the baby is deficient in vitamins ABCDE?Doctor's answer:
Hello: I would like to know if a serum vitamin test can be conducted to check for vitamin deficiencies.Vitamin A Deficiency: The child's skin becomes dry, rough, and covered with small bumps, resembling chicken skin; hair becomes sparse, dry, lackluster, and brittle, with changes in shape; the conjunctiva and cornea (commonly known as the black part of the eye) also develop abnormalities. Mild cases may cause dry eyes, photophobia, and night blindness (commonly known as "hen's eye"), while severe cases can lead to cloudy black eyes, ulcer formation, and eventual perforation, resulting in blindness.
Vitamin B2 Deficiency: The facial skin becomes slightly red, oily, and scaly, a condition known as seborrheic dermatitis in medicine. It not only affects appearance but can also attract bacterial infections, leading to folliculitis. Additionally, inflammation, pain, and discomfort may occur in multiple areas such as the tongue, lips, and scrotum. Nicotinic acid deficiency makes the skin particularly sensitive, causing spots to appear after sun exposure, thickening and roughening of the facial skin, which doctors call pellagra. Furthermore, symptoms such as glossitis, diarrhea, headaches, insomnia, irritability, and dementia may also develop.
Vitamin C Deficiency: Vitamin C plays a prominent role in hematopoiesis, protecting blood vessels, and promoting brain development. If intake is insufficient, the first symptoms to appear are reduced appetite, anemia, bleeding from the gums, nasal mucosa, and skin, as well as low IQ and delayed development compared to peers.
Vitamin K Deficiency: Vitamin K is a clotting component in the body. If its levels are insufficient, it can lead to bleeding throughout the body. Mild cases may cause bruising or purpling upon collision with external objects, while severe cases can result in spontaneous bleeding from the mouth, nasal mucosa, stomach, intestines, and urinary tract. If bleeding occurs in the brain, it can be fatal.
Vitamin D Deficiency: This is the main cause of rickets in children, a condition familiar to many.
Folate Deficiency: Folate is one of the essential raw materials for hematopoiesis. Insufficient intake can cause anemia, characterized by pale complexion, dry, yellow hair, lethargy, and a lack of speech, as well as bleeding spots on the skin. Under a microscope, red blood cell counts may decrease, but the cells become larger, a condition known as macrocytic anemia.