The baby is almost eight months old and always cries at night. After eating a few mouthfuls of milk, she continues.

Patient's question:

No

Doctor's answer:

Analysis of the Condition: Several reasons why a child cries at night:
1. Too much daytime sleep.
2. The room is too hot, the blanket is too thick, bed bugs, or a wet diaper that hasn't been changed promptly.
3. Hunger or thirst.
4. Rickets or diaper rash.
Recommendations:
Vitamin D deficiency rickets is common in children under 3 years old. In the early stages, it may cause night terrors, night crying, and irritability. In the later stages, it can lead to skeletal changes, resulting in a square skull, (beaded ribs), rib flaring, and severe cases may cause O-shaped legs, X-shaped legs, pigeon chest, or funnel chest.
Prevention of Vitamin D deficiency rickets:
1. Promote breastfeeding and add complementary foods promptly.
2. Get more sunlight, which is a simple and effective measure; expose the skin as much as possible, with at least 1 hour of outdoor activity per day on average.
3. Full-term infants should start taking 400 IU of vitamin D daily from the 2nd week until they are 2 years old.
If vitamin D supplements have not been taken and the child shows symptoms such as night terrors, night crying, irritability, excessive sweating, or bald spots on the head, it is recommended to visit a pediatric department for some tests to check for rickets. This will ensure timely and proper treatment.