Understanding Vitamin A Deficiency In Children

Vitamin A is a substance we all need to be healthy. Vitamin A helps us with many bodily functions, including vision and immunity to certain diseases. Children often cannot report the symptoms they experience, so it is up to adults to determine if their child is showing signs of a Vitamin A deficiency. These are some of the signs you might see in your child indicating that something could be wrong with their diet.

Skin Changes

One of the biggest changes associated with Vitamin A deficiency is dry skin, which can also lead to inflammation. The reason for this is that Vitamin A helps repair skin and fight inflammation. If your child does not have enough Vitamin A, they may experience a lot of discomfort. You might notice flaky skin that feels dry and rough to the touch.

Eye Discomfort

Dry eyes also come with Vitamin A deficiency. Some people who have this deficiency even experience total blindness. In more mild cases, a child may not be able to produce tears when he or she is crying.

Stunted Growth

Children who do not get the Vitamin A they need early on may experience delayed or stunted growth. Vitamin A is important for a child's physical development. If your child is not on track for height, you should always talk to the child's pediatrician to see if testing is necessary.

Respiratory Infections

Do you notice your child experiencing throat and chest infections? Throat and chest infections are potential signs of a problem, though these infections can also be indicative of other problems. Regardless of the cause of the infection, it is important that your child sees a doctor to determine what else you can do to prevent infections from taking a toll on your child's development.

Slow Healing

Slow healing of wounds can be linked to several issues that impact the immune system, and Vitamin A deficiency is one of them. Vitamin A is important for the development of collagen in the skin, and without it, children may be slow to recover from certain injuries.

Foods that contain Vitamin A include meat, fish, dairy, eggs, colorful fruits, and colorful vegetables. Increasing these foods in your child's diet may be the best way to ensure he or she gets the nutrients and minerals necessary for growth. Still have questions? Speak with your child's pediatrician today to learn more about vitamins and your child's development.

To learn more, reach out to a company like Northeast Wyoming Pediatric Associates Pc.