It is essential that humans get enough vitamins in order to function properly. Children, especially, need to be getting the appropriate amount of vitamins to ensure their healthy development. When a child doesn't get enough vitamins, it can cause a lot of serious health issues and interfere with mental and physical functioning. Knowing the signs of vitamin deficiency in children is the first step toward making sure your child is getting the nutrients they need in order to grow up healthy. 

Bone Disease

If your child is not getting an appropriate amount of vitamin D, they may develop bone disease. This can cause the bones to become brittle or misshapen, and fracture more easily. If your child has had frequent broken bones, it may be a good idea to look into purchasing some vitamin D gummies for them to try out. Other ways to get vitamin D include egg yolk, fish, milk, and spending plenty of time in the sun.

Brittle hair/nails

If your child is having issues with their hair or nails, this can be indicative of a vitamin B deficiency of some sort. Lacking vitamin B7 may cause your child's hair or nails to break or split more easily. Hair loss can occur with inadequate levels of B7 or B3. Adding more fish, meat, eggs, nuts, and leafy greens into your child's diet can help to raise their B vitamin levels and prevent the loss and breakage of hair and nails. 

Bleeding Gums

Vitamin C deficiency can cause your child's gums to bleed with no discernible cause. This may happen while they are brushing their teeth or just going about their day. In order to increase your child's vitamin C levels, they should eat more fruits and vegetables. Contrary to popular belief, canned or frozen produce is not less nourishing than fresh produce is and will provide your child with the same nutrients. This professional dentist in Stafford also adds that iron deficiency can also cause bleeding gums.

Vision Problems

Everyone has heard that if you want to improve your vision, you should eat carrots. While this is not strictly true, carrots and other orange vegetables contain a significant amount of vitamin A. When deficient in vitamin A, children will often begin to experience vision problems, including dry eyes and difficulty seeing in low light. Other kinds of foods that have vitamin A are leafy greens, dairy, and eggs. 

Shaking

Shaking can occur if your child needs to get more vitamin E into their diet. This deficiency is rather rare, and typically indicates malnourishment as a whole rather than a standalone deficiency. Avocado, spinach, and almonds are great ways to include vitamin E in your child's diet, however, in the case of a vitamin E deficiency, it is likely that their diet as a whole needs to be evaluated and that they should be taken to a doctor for medical advice.

Frequent Illness

Vitamin deficiencies can often have the effect of lowering your child's immune system. Vitamin A and vitamin C both play an important role in developing your child's immune system, so deficiencies in these areas can often cause them to become ill more frequently. In order to combat this, you can make sure they are eating enough eggs, as well as leafy greens and other types of fruits and vegetables. 

All of these symptoms can be indicators of a serious underlying condition, so it is important to have your child evaluated by a doctor who can help to give them an accurate diagnosis. If your child is experiencing any of these symptoms, it can be a worrying time for you. Knowing what changes to make in their diet can help to empower you with the ability to help them feel better.