Patient's question:
Skull suture development is larger than that of peers, feeling slower by three or four months. Recently seen a doctor because they don't understand.Doctor's answer:
The key to preventing rickets is to supplement with sufficient vitamin D, and the best way is to get sunlight. It can be said that childhood rickets is not just about calcium deficiency but also about a lack of "sunlight." 7-dehydrocholesterol in the skin can be converted into vitamin D through ultraviolet radiation, promoting calcium absorption and making bones strong. The specific situation should be determined by the season. Since infant skin is delicate, it should be protected. In summer, you can choose to play in the shade under a tree or use an umbrella, or go out shortly after sunrise or before sunset. In spring and autumn, children should be taken outdoors to play frequently. In winter, on sunny days, you can take children outdoors more often, with midday being the best time. Additionally, you can appropriately supplement with vitamin D, typically 400 international units per day. Premature infants should start supplementation two weeks after birth, while full-term infants should start after one month. For the first three months after birth, 800 international units per day can be used, then reduced to 400 international units per day. Calcium powder should also be added in moderation. After the age of two, children's growth rate slows down, and outdoor activities increase, so vitamin D supplementation is generally no longer needed.Advice: Due to seasonal factors or underlying causes, during late autumn, severe winter, and early spring, when daylight hours are short and children have fewer opportunities to get sunlight, vitamin D supplementation is necessary. Generally, 400 units per day can meet the needs. We commonly use concentrated cod liver oil drops, with each bottle containing 10 milliliters, including 500,000 units of vitamin A and 50,000 units of vitamin D. For infants and young children, 2-3 drops are usually used three times a day (equivalent to 400-800 units of vitamin D). Under normal circumstances, one bottle of cod liver oil can last about 20 days. While taking cod liver oil, calcium supplements should also be taken. For children under one year old, 500 milligrams per day; for children aged 1-10, 800 milligrams per day; and for children aged 10-13, 1,100 milligrams per day, which can meet physiological needs.
Calcium-rich foods: First, seafood contains a high amount of calcium, such as fish (it's best to eat with bones), shrimp skin, dried shrimp, kelp, and nori, all of which are rich in calcium and are easily absorbed by the body. Soy products are excellent calcium supplements, such as soy milk, soy powder, tofu, and tofu skin, which are inexpensive, easy to cook, and convenient to eat. Dairy products are also widely accepted now, such as fresh milk, yogurt, and cheese, which are rich in calcium and are excellent sources of calcium for pregnant women and children. Additionally, vegetables are also a source of calcium, such as daylily, carrots, Chinese cabbage, and rapeseed, which are rich in vitamins and can provide calcium to the body. They should be consumed more often in daily life. Eggs are also indispensable in life and contain a high amount of calcium.
Calcium content per 100 grams of food:
- Sardines (boiled): 2,200 milligrams
- Dried sardines: 1,400 milligrams
- Cabbage: 1,400 milligrams
- Skim milk powder: 1,200 milligrams
- Dried wakame: 960 milligrams
- Dried kelp: 760 milligrams
- Tofu: 120 milligrams
- Processed milk: 100 milligrams
While consuming calcium-rich foods, it's important to get more sunlight to help the body produce vitamin D, which promotes calcium absorption. Additionally, consuming foods rich in vitamin D, such as pork liver, lamb liver, and beef liver, can also promote calcium absorption. In general, if a child has mild calcium deficiency, dietary supplements can help improve symptoms. If the symptoms are severe, vitamin D and calcium supplements should be taken under the guidance of a doctor.