The Monsoon Guide to Vitamin D for Children

Has your child recently experienced recent mood changes, lack of energy, fatigue, physical soreness, or poor performance? The sunshine vitamin, or vitamin D, might be the cause. Kids are more susceptible to Vitamin D shortage during the monsoon since they frequently stay indoors when skin contact with sunlight is at a minimum. A study published in the Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism in 2015 reported that approximately 70-90% of Indian children were found to be vitamin D deficient. Another study published in the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research in 2016 suggested that vitamin D deficiency affected more than 80% of children in India.

Your child requires vitamin D for optimum health. It facilitates the body’s absorption of calcium, one of the essential components for strong bones. Together with calcium, vitamin D helps guard against osteoporosis, a condition that thins and weakens the bones and increases the risk of bone fracture. The body needs vitamin D to protect children from type 1 and type 2 diabetes, rickets, and osteoarthritis.

During the rainy season, kids are more likely to contract infectious infections; thus, vitamin D is essential for their immune systems to fight against invasive bacteria and viruses.

As the amount of sunlight exposure declines during the monsoon, so does the vitamin D level. Age affects how much vitamin D is needed daily. These suggestions are crucial to follow to guarantee proper bone mass development, which is known to peak throughout adolescence and is closely regulated by vitamin D. Does your child get enough vitamin D?

Life Stage	Recommended Amount
Birth to 12 months	10 mcg (400 IU)
Children 1–13 years	15 mcg (600 IU)
Teens 14–18 years	15 mcg (600 IU)
Adults 19–70 years	15 mcg (600 IU)
Adults 71 years and older	20 mcg (800 IU)
Pregnant and breastfeeding teens  and women	15 mcg (600 IU)

Disease risk is lower in people with higher vitamin D levels. Around the world, one billion people are thought to be vitamin D deficient or insufficient. You are advised to undergo a vitamin D test every six months under the supervision of a family doctor.

 It’s crucial to consult with healthcare professionals, such as paediatricians or endocrinologists, who can provide up-to-date information and guidance tailored to your specific location and circumstances. They may recommend vitamin D testing and suggest appropriate measures to address any deficiencies or ensure optimal vitamin D levels in children.