Patient's question:
My baby is already 13 months old. When he was around 7 or 8 months, he had a bit of rib flaring. Later, during his one-year checkup, the doctor said that the rib flaring was a symptom of rickets and recommended calcium supplementation through diet. He also mentioned that fish oil was no longer needed. Additionally, my baby often wakes up and cries at night. To this day, he cannot walk independently. I’m worried he might be calcium-deficient, so I want to give him some calcium supplements. However, I’m not sure which one is better. Today, I went to a pharmacy, and the pharmacist recommended Alelgai. But the pharmacist at another pharmacy said that Alelgai is a medication and that it’s better to use Gailikang, which is a health supplement. I’m not sure either.Doctor's answer:
If not breastfeeding, vitamins and trace elements need to be supplemented simultaneously. The best approach is dietary supplementation, such as drinking fruit juice and pig bone soup.The most important thing is to ensure that infants get enough sunlight exposure for calcium supplementation. Aim for 30 to 60 minutes of sunlight daily, preferably between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to avoid ultraviolet rays. At the same time, avoid direct sunlight on the head and focus on exposing the limbs. Wear fewer clothes and, ideally, expose the soles of the infant's feet (recent clinical studies have proven that sunlight exposure on the soles of the feet is highly beneficial for health, though unfortunately, some people may never have had their feet exposed to sunlight in their entire lives!). Alternatively, you can also drink calcium gluconate oral solution, which is quite effective. Properly supplement with fish oil and get some sun exposure to help with calcium absorption.