Calcium Deficiency in Children: Causes, Symptoms, and Solutions

Calcium helps in building the bones of children. Children who get adequate calcium do not have to face bone related problems in adult life. This keeps their bones strong throughout their life. Apart from this, calcium also protects children from a disease called rickets. In this disease, the bones of children become soft and the growth of bones stops. Due to this, children may sometimes have muscle pain.

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Children need more calcium to strengthen bones and teeth. Children between 1 and 3 years need about 700 mg calcium in a day. Children between 4 and 8 years need 1000 mg calcium and children above 9 years need 1300 mg calcium. Therefore, feed your children calcium-rich foods in sufficient quantities.

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If children suffer from hypocalcemia, the following types of symptoms can be seen -

• Dry Skin 
• Dry And Rough Hair
• Fragile Nails
• Muscle Cramps And Pain 
• Tingling Sensation
• Week Teeth 

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Calcium deficiency in children can be caused due to some common reasons, such as -

• Premature birth
• Some medicines
• Mother's diabetes
• Low oxygen level
• Infection
• Stress due to serious illness
• Vitamin D deficiency

Apart from these, there are some rare diseases which can reduce calcium levels in children, such as

• DiGeorge syndrome is a genetic disorder.
• Being born with underactive parathyroid glands. Normally these glands help in controlling the use of calcium.

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A blood test can be done to check the level of calcium in the body of children. If calcium deficiency is found in the body of children, then the following types of treatment can be done -

• The doctor can give some calcium supplements.
• It may also be advisable to feed the child some high calcium foods. Some foods have high calcium content.
• If the baby has hypocalcemia from birth, the doctor can treat him by keeping him in the nursery for a few days.
• By making the child sit in the morning sun for some time, the body gets vitamin-D, this can also increase the amount of calcium to some extent.
• If the child can eat solid food, then he can be fed milk, curd, cheese, almonds, white sesame, red beans, figs and plums etc.

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Calcium is necessary for the physical development of children. When there is a lack of calcium in the body of children, they may have to face many health problems. In such a situation, you should always feed calcium-rich foods to children. If the child repeatedly complains of body pain, then take him to the doctor immediately. In this situation, the doctor can check the calcium in the body of children.