Vitamin D deficiency in childhood may have a lifelong impact as it reduces growth and cause permanent deformities. If left untreated, its deficiency may cause fractures which are difficult to heal. In many developing countries it is a common problem due to lack of proper nutrition.
Detecting deficiencies at an earlier stage ensures that relevant treatment is provided before it’s too late. You need to consult an orthopaedic doctor at the earliest if your child shows one or more of the given symptoms:
Bone deformity
Bone deformities are very common if your child is vitamin D deficient. It is usually manifested in legs. Bowed legs or knock knees are common leg deformities. Bone deformities are also seen in skull and ribs so it is important to check any deformity or asymmetry.
Bone pain and tenderness
Bone pain and pain on touching the child may be an indication of depletion of vitamin D. Pain is usually in weight bearing bones like legs. Child may also complain about pain in wrist and shoulders. If your young one constantly complains about pain or cries unreasonably then a pediatrician should be consulted.
Joint swelling
Joint swelling is most prominent in wrist and X-ray may reveal splaying of joint surface and it may be painful. Your doctor may recommend some vitamin D supplementation which will eventually reduce swelling and remodel the bone.
Stunted growth
Prolonged lack of vitamin D can lead to stunted growth in height. Bone is not able to grow in absence of vitamin D as it is important for absorption of calcium. If your kid has less height than his peers, it may be cause of concern.
If you are not sure that your child’s symptoms are related to bone deformities, it is best to consult a paediatrician first. Based on an expert check-up, the doctors can advice the proper treatment channel. To get all child treatment facilities under one roof, get in direct touch with Bansal Global Hospital or drop us a query online.
About Bansal Global Hospital
A world class private hospital located in North-West Delhi, the Bansal Global Hospital offers the best treatment possible and care to its patients round the clock (24×7). The multi-specialty Bansal Global Hospital provides specialist medical and surgical care ranging from simple day-case procedures to complex surgeries, blood and other tests in our state of the art pathology lab, digital X-rays, inpatient facilities. The hospital has dedicated inpatient facility, with all fully air-conditioned ensuite rooms. Our staff offer high quality services to ensure that your stay with us is as comfortable as possible in private and discrete facilities.
Address:
Bansal Global Hospital C-10 Ramgarh,, Near Jahangirpuri Metro Station, Delhi, 110033
Bansal Fracture, Gynae and Kids Clinic, E-1086 Saraswati Vihar, Pitampura, Delhi 110034
Neo Kidz Clinic, C-38 Raj Nagar, Pitampura, Delhi 110034
Tel: 011-27636400
Dr. Suresh Bansal – Specialist Orthopedic Surgeon
Dr. Bimla Bansal – Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Dr. Neha Bansal – Child Specialist