Vitamin C deficiency should be treated at the earliest as it can have detrimental effects on the health of children. Read on to learn more about the harmful effects of Vitamin C deficiency on the health of children.Vitamin C or Ascorbic Acid is one of those substances that cannot be made by the human body and so has to be absorbed from the diet. Vitamin C is essential for the robust health of skin, cartilage tissue, bones and teeth. Children need Vitamin C for proper body and brain development. Read on to know more about Vitamin C Deficiency. In this articleVitamin C Requirement for ChildrenBiological Effect of Vitamin C DeficiencyLong term Effects of Vitamin C DeficiencyThe Primary Side Effects of Vitamin C DeficiencySecondary Symptoms of Vitamin C deficiencyTreatment and PrognosisVitamin C Requirement for ChildrenThe optimum amount of Vitamin C that should be consumed by a person depends upon the age, sex and biological condition. Pregnant and lactating women need a higher amount of Vitamin C in their system.Kids between the ages of 1 to 10 years need 30 milligrams of Vitamin C every day.Kids between the ages of 11 to 14 years need 35 milligrams of Vitamin C every day.Kids over the age of 15 years need 40 milligrams of Vitamin C every day.Biological Effect of Vitamin C DeficiencyThe lack of proper Vitamin C intake leads to several biological effects in the body. Persistent Vitamin C deprivation means that new collagen cannot form and this leads to tissue breakdown. Once this condition persists for more than 3 months a condition called Scurvy develops and this is characterised by bleeding gums and wounds that refuse to heal in the skin.Long term Effects of Vitamin C DeficiencyThe other effects of Vitamin C deficiency are frequent cough and cold problems along with regular flu attacks. The deterioration of skin and hair health is also a prominent side effect. In case of kid’s insufficient amount of Vitamin C leads to tissue deformations and skin ailments which never really get cured.Unless proper diagnosis and treatment are sought the lack of Vitamin C can lead to breathing problems, nerve disorder and feverish spells. Vitamin C deficient kids are also known to suffer from convulsions. In rare cases bleeding inside the brain and around the heart can occur.The Primary Side Effects of Vitamin C DeficiencyLook out for the following signs in your kids. If they exhibit one or more of these following conditions they could be Vitamin C deficient.Your kids get tired easily and exhibit frequent weak dizzy spells.Your kids complain of muscle pain and body ache frequently.You notice your kids bruising themselves frequently.There are tiny reddish or bluish bruises all over your kid’s skin.Secondary Symptoms of Vitamin C deficiencyThese signs occur after your kids have been vitamin C deficient for quite some time. If your children show any of these symptoms then you should immediately seek medical intervention:Your children have dry flaky skin that cuts and bleeds easily.Your kids have already started developing split ends in their hair.Your children have swollen gums and there are discoloured patches on them which sometimes bleed.Your kids suffer from nose bleeding frequently.Your kids have started losing weight at an unnatural pace.Your kids have poor immunity and they fall sick frequently.Treatment and PrognosisVitamin C deficiency can only be overcome by two ways; adapting a Vitamin C Rich diet and taking supplements. However, only your paediatrician can prescribe the correct supplements and the accurate dosage for your kid. Your paediatrician will also recommend specific dietary changes that need to be made to your child’s diet. It is important to remember that the improved diet must be continued even after the supplements have stopped. 90% of Vitamin C deficient kids achieve full recovery after proper diagnosis and treatment.Vitamin C deficiency should be diagnosed and treated early as it has long lasting negative effects on the health of your kids.What are the harmful effects of Vitamin C deficiency on children? How to prevent Vitamin C deficiency in children? What are the signs and symptoms of Vitamin C deficiency in children? Discuss here.
Vitamin C deficiency should be treated at the earliest as it can have detrimental effects on the health of children. Read on to learn more about the harmful effects of Vitamin C deficiency on the health of children.Vitamin C or Ascorbic Acid is one of those substances that cannot be made by the human body and so has to be absorbed from the diet.
Vitamin C is essential for the robust health of skin, cartilage tissue,
bones and teeth. Children need Vitamin C for proper body and brain development. Read on to know more about Vitamin C Deficiency.
Vitamin C Requirement for Children
The optimum amount of Vitamin C that should be consumed by a person depends upon the age, sex and biological condition. Pregnant and lactating women need a higher amount of Vitamin C in their system.
- Kids between the ages of 1 to 10 years need 30 milligrams of Vitamin C every day.
- Kids between the ages of 11 to 14 years need 35 milligrams of Vitamin C every day.
- Kids over the age of 15 years need 40 milligrams of Vitamin C every day.
Biological Effect of Vitamin C Deficiency
The lack of proper Vitamin C intake leads to several biological effects in the body. Persistent Vitamin C deprivation means that new collagen cannot form and this leads to tissue breakdown. Once this condition persists for more than 3 months a condition called Scurvy develops and this is characterised by bleeding gums and wounds that refuse to heal in the skin.
Long term Effects of Vitamin C Deficiency
The other effects of Vitamin C deficiency are frequent cough and cold problems along with regular flu attacks. The deterioration of skin and hair health is also a prominent side effect. In case of kid’s insufficient amount of Vitamin C leads to tissue deformations and skin ailments which never really get cured.
Unless proper diagnosis and treatment are sought the lack of Vitamin C can lead to breathing problems, nerve disorder and feverish spells.
Vitamin C deficient kids are also known to suffer from convulsions. In rare cases bleeding inside the brain and around the heart can occur.
The Primary Side Effects of Vitamin C Deficiency
Look out for the following signs in your kids. If they exhibit one or more of these following conditions they could be Vitamin C deficient.
- Your kids get tired easily and exhibit frequent weak dizzy spells.
- Your kids complain of muscle pain and body ache frequently.
- You notice your kids bruising themselves frequently.
- There are tiny reddish or bluish bruises all over your kid’s skin.
Secondary Symptoms of Vitamin C deficiency
These signs occur after your kids have been vitamin C deficient for quite some time. If your children show any of these symptoms then you should immediately seek medical intervention:
- Your children have dry flaky skin that cuts and bleeds easily.
- Your kids have already started developing split ends in their hair.
- Your children have swollen gums and there are discoloured patches on them which sometimes bleed.
- Your kids suffer from nose bleeding frequently.
- Your kids have started losing weight at an unnatural pace.
- Your kids have poor immunity and they fall sick frequently.
Treatment and Prognosis
Vitamin C deficiency can only be overcome by two ways; adapting a Vitamin C Rich diet and taking supplements. However, only your paediatrician can prescribe the correct supplements and the accurate dosage for your kid. Your paediatrician will also recommend specific dietary changes that need to be made to your
child’s diet. It is important to remember that the improved diet must be continued even after the supplements have stopped. 90% of Vitamin C deficient kids achieve full recovery after proper diagnosis and treatment.
Vitamin C deficiency should be diagnosed and treated early as it has long lasting negative effects on the health of your kids.
What are the harmful effects of Vitamin C deficiency on children? How to prevent Vitamin C deficiency in children? What are the signs and symptoms of Vitamin C deficiency in children? Discuss here. 
