In the first twelve months of life the foundation of the child's future health is laid. Therefore, it is very important for the parents to make every effort to lay the foundation for the health of the baby. Particular attention during this period of your child's life should be given to the prevention of rickets.
Rickets is a serious disease associated with a violation of the phosphorus-calcium metabolism, as a result of which the formation of bone tissue is disturbed. This disease is most often found between the ages of two months to two years. Therefore, the prevention of rickets in infants should be one of the main tasks of modern parents.
Factors predisposing to rickets
From the mother:
- age is less than 18 and older than 35 years;
- complications of pregnancy;
- unbalanced nutrition during pregnancy;
- some diseases of the mother (diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, metabolic disorders).
From the side of the child:
- most are predisposed to the disease babies born from June to December;
- prematurity, birth weight below the norm;
- large body weight at birth (more than 4 kg);
- very rapid increase in weight in the first three months of the child's life;
- inadequate exposure to fresh air;
- limited motor system;
- frequent colds;
- early artificial feeding.
Prophylaxis of rickets in a future child during pregnancy
Antenatal prophylaxis of rickets is the prevention of rickets during pregnancy. It includes a full-fledged nutrition of the future mother with foods rich in protein, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D, B vitamins. A pregnant woman should walk a lot in the fresh air, exercise, take multivitamin preparations (according to the recommendations of the obstetrician-gynecologist).
Among the main sources of calcium can be identified milk and dairy products, cheese, nuts, green vegetables. Medicinal forms of calcium preparations should be taken only as directed by your doctor. Phosphorus is found in fish, beef liver, lean beef and eggs.
Vitamin D comes with food mainly in the form of precursors (substances that are converted into the body in vitamin D). The main predecessor of vitamin D is 7-dehydrocholesterol, which under the influence of ultraviolet in the skin turns into vitamin D 3. Vitamin D in the form of D 3 contain cod liver oil, tuna, egg yolk.
An important point is the planning of pregnancy. For conception, autumn months are more favorable, because babies born in the summer manage to obtain a sufficient dose of vitamin D due to the influence of solar ultraviolet rays.
Preventing rickets after childbirth
Doctors with a preventive purpose in the autumn-winter period prescribe an aqueous solution of vitamin D 3 (medicinal product "Aquadetrim"), starting from 3-4 weeks of age, 1-2 drops per day. I would recommend taking vitamin D 3 under monthly monitoring of the Sulkovich test (determines the excretion of calcium in the urine), since an overdose of vitamin D also fraught with consequences.
With artificial feeding, you must choose a mixture that is balanced with calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D. It should be noted that preference is always given in favor of breastfeeding. Therefore, you need to make every effort to breastfeed naturally.
Pay special attention to the introduction of complementary foods for the baby. It is recommended that the first lure be vegetable. Curd should be administered from 6.5-7.5 months, meat - from 6.5-7 months, and dairy products and fish - from eight months. When choosing cereals do not forget to carefully read the composition, paying special attention to the content of calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D.
An important role in the prevention of rickets in infants is to ensure a sufficient motor regimen: free diapering, daily gymnastics and massage, hardening and water procedures. Do not forget about air baths.
It is necessary to provide the child regular walks in the open air. In hot weather, it is recommended to stay in the shadow of diffuse light.
Remember that the disease is easier to prevent than treat. Therefore, compliance with all preventive measures is very important in preventing such a serious disease as rickets.