Patient's question:
Is the hairless ring appearing on the baby's head (115 days) a sign of calcium deficiency? Have you been taking oral calcium supplements? Is it necessary to get a calcium injection? What are the downsides of getting an injection?Doctor's answer:
Hello, the condition you described in the child should be related to calcium deficiency. It is recommended to continue calcium supplementation. How should the child take calcium?Children are in the period of growth and development, and their calcium needs are greater than those of adults. Therefore, it is important to supplement calcium promptly to prevent deficiency. When taking calcium correctly, the following points should be noted.
(1) Whether the child is deficient in calcium should be determined by a doctor, not self-diagnosed.
(2) Healthy children with normal diets and well-balanced meals do not need additional calcium supplementation.
(3) Calcium deficiency in children can be clearly observed within the first two months of life. Symptoms may include night crying, excessive sweating, reduced appetite, susceptibility to respiratory infections, anemia, and baldness at the back of the head. In severe cases, it may lead to tetany in the hands and feet. In such cases, calcium supplements should be used for treatment.
(4) When taking calcium supplements, they should be combined with vitamin D-containing medications, such as cod liver oil, as they can promote calcium and phosphorus absorption, reduce urinary phosphorus excretion, and increase blood citrate levels. Citrate combines with calcium to form high-concentration complexes, which are beneficial for the calcification of new bones. However, it should be noted that vitamin D should not be taken in excess, as this may lead to persistent hypercalcemia, followed by calcium salt deposition in various organs and tissues, impairing their function. In severe cases, it may affect intellectual development.
(5) During calcium supplementation, children should avoid eating spinach and dairy products. Spinach contains oxalates, which can form calcium oxalate precipitates with calcium. Additionally, taking calcium supplements with dairy products may cause curdling, both of which can affect absorption.