Damascus-SANA
Dr. Thana'a Al-Khatib, Pediatrician, Metabolic Consultant at Children's University Hospital, recommended that children should be exposed to sunlight daily for ten minutes to obtain vitamin D, as it is its main source and its lack of presence in food.
Vitamin D is found in a small number of foods, including fish and eggs, and the symptoms of its deficiency vary according to the age of the child, as Al-Khatib explained to SANA.
As for children of a year and older, the symptoms of vitamin deficiency are manifested according to the specialist in the form of weakness, general fatigue and muscle weakness, and it can be diagnosed through an analysis that determines the percentage of its presence.
And she advised Dr. Al-Khatib to be exposed to the sun on a daily basis for ten minutes between 11 and 2 in the afternoon and not to prolong it to avoid redness of the skin, indicating that this contributes to securing the body's need for vitamin D well and in the event that it is not possible to obtain it from sunlight or eating food fortified with it. It can be taken as a supplement after consulting a doctor.
Dr. Al-Khatib pointed out that the incidence of vitamin D deficiency in infants decreased significantly as a result of giving it preventively through supplements since birth, while it is noted that its deficiency has increased in older age groups, especially among adolescents, despite their exposure to the sun.