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, lacks shine, and nails become brittle, changing 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"). Severe cases can lead to cloudy corneas, ulcer formation, and eventual perforation, resulting in blindness.
Vitamin B2 Deficiency: The facial skin becomes slightly red, oily, and scaly, a condition known medically as seborrheic dermatitis, which affects appearance and can attract bacterial infections, leading to folliculitis. Additionally, inflammation, pain, and discomfort may occur in 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 face, a condition known as 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 signs are reduced appetite, anemia, bleeding from the gums, nasal mucosa, and skin. IQ may also be low, and development may lag behind that of peers.
Vitamin K Deficiency: Vitamin K is a clotting component in the body. A deficiency can lead to bleeding throughout the body. Mild cases may cause bruising or purpling upon collision with external objects, while severe cases may 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 primary 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 lead to anemia, characterized by pale complexion, dry, yellow hair, lethargy, and skin with bleeding spots. Under a microscope, red blood cell counts may decrease, but the cells become enlarged, a condition known as macrocytic anemia.