Why is having sufficient
vitamin D so important for children?
Look at some of the early
discoveries documented by medical doctors with respect to children who had
serious problems in their long bones. This will also show why professional
guidelines are still important, in making sure that your child or children
always receive sufficient vitamin D.
In the 17th century, Daniel Whistler
and Francis Glisson noted "a childhood disease characterized by impeded
growth and deformity of the long bones, called rickets." (1)
While medical doctors observed
the disease process affecting a large number of children, no one actually
related it to a vitamin deficiency, at this time. A number of medical
professionals, including Whistler, became seriously concerned about it.
"His inaugural
dissertation at Leyden , read 18 October 1645,
'De Morbo puerili Anglorum, quern patrio idiomate indgense vocant', or
"The Rickets" is his only published work and the first printed book
on rickets. He reprinted it in 1684." (2)
Whistler's work discussed
extensive observations documented by Francis Glisson and other medical
professionals from the College
of Physicians
Glisson published the
Tractatus de Rachitide. (3)
The disease process identified,
at this time, was 'Paedossplanchnosteocaces'. (4)
There was no known cure for
rickets and no one had considered vitamin D in children's diets, as being a
possible factor in the prevention of rickets.
Edward Mellanby discovered the
"the role of diet in the development of rickets" many years later,
in 1918-1920. (5)
"In 1921, Elmer McCollum
identified a substance found in certain fats that could prevent rickets."
(6)
The substance that McCollum
identified was what we now know to be vitamin D. Those children who were
deficient in vitamin D suffered from rickets. To understand just how serious
the medical situation was at this time, note the following statement:
"Prior to the
fortification of milk products with vitamin D, rickets was a major public
health problem. In the United
States
Rickets is still a disease
process that can occur in children, if or when there is a lack of vitamin D in
their diets. In other words, we know that this particular disease still exists,
but it is possible to prevent rickets and thus, making sure that your children
have sufficient vitamin D is important.
What is vitamin D?
"Vitamin D is a group of
fat-soluble prohormones, the two major forms of which are D2 (or
ergocalciferol) and vitamin D3 (or cholecalciferol). Vitamin D obtained from
sun exposure, food, and supplements, is biologically inert and must undergo two
hydroxylation reactions to be activated in the body. Calcitriol
(1,25-Dihydroxycholecalciferol) is the active form of vitamin D found in the
body. The term vitamin D also refers to these metabolites and other analogues
of these substances." (8)
If you are seriously concerned
about long bone health in your children, make a note of this because
it is important.
"Vitamin D is naturally
produced by the human body when exposed to direct sunlight." (9)
Some parents may not be aware
of how important sunshine is for their children's bone health. When children
play or exercise outside in the sun, the human body produces its own vitamin D
and thus, vitamin D is the sunshine vitamin. Children should have daily
exposure to the sun whenever possible, so that their bodies continue to produce
vitamin D naturally. This will help to prevent rickets, as long as there is
sufficient sunshine.
What other factors must one
take into consideration with regard to sun exposure and a potential deficit of
the production of natural vitamin D, in children's bodies?
"Season, geographic
latitude, time of day, cloud cover, smog and sunscreen affect UV ray exposure
and vitamin D synthesis in the skin." (10)
In other words, during the
autumn or winter, children produce less natural vitamin D in their bodies,
because there is less sun. In parts of the world, where there is a lot of
sunshine, children produce natural vitamin D more abundantly. At midday, the
amount of sunshine would be higher, than it is in the evening. Sunny days would
be preferable to cloudy or rainy days with respect to the natural production of
vitamin D. High levels of smog in a city can cause children to suffer a lack
of natural vitamin D. Similarly, the use of sunscreen on the skin of children
may lead to a lower level of natural vitamin D.
The amount of sun exposure by
children determines the production of natural vitamin D. Where there is a
suspected deficit, particularly in children, "...it is important for
individuals with limited sun exposure to include good sources of vitamin D in
their diet." (11)
What foods contain vitamin D?
These include the following: fish liver oils - cod liver oil, fatty fish -
herring, catfish, salmon, mackerel, sardines, tuna, eel, egg, beef liver, UV
irradiated mushrooms (12)
A healthy, well-balanced diet, as well as daily outdoor
activity or exercise, is important for the prevention of rickets in children.
Rickets is not just a disease that existed many years ago. It can still occur
today, although it is less likely to occur now because a large number of foods
that children consume on a regular basis have added vitamin D.
Note that if you suspect that
your child may be suffering from long bone problems, it is a good idea to
contact your family physician, immediately. He or she may refer your child to a
pediatrician or a dietician. If necessary, the dietician will help you to
increase the amount of vitamin D in his or her diet.
Recognizing the need for
naturally produced vitamin D, as well as a supplemental, dietary source of
vitamin D, is the first step towards ensuring good bone health, as well as the
prevention of rickets in children.
3. Ibid.
4. Ibid.
5. Ibid.
6. Ibid.
7. Op. Cit. Vitamin_d
8. Ibid.
9. Ibid.
10. Ibid.
11. Ibid.
12. Ibid.
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