A recurring theme that is always current are the possible nutritional deficits in children. Although it is true that in developed countries it is very difficult for them to occurIt is also true that it is necessary for the child to receive a varied diet to fulfill this premise.
The problem is that sometimes it is difficult to make a varied diet in a child, especially the youngest ones, who can refuse many of the foods offered.
This is a transitory stage but sometimes it can become a serious problem if you do not have enough time and patience to save that child's rejection of certain foods.
The best way to reduce this risk is to Always check the child's diet with the pediatrician and "play" with the preparation of the dishes, so that the professional can certify the sufficient variety and nutritional quality of the food and the child associate eating with something fun. Even so, it is very common for many parents to have doubts about possible deficits in this age range, one of the most consulted being that of a possible vitamin deficit.
Vitamin E is not a single compound, but a group of substances that have antioxidant function and that, as with almost all vitamins, must be ingested since the body is unable to produce it by itself.Why vitamin E deficiency occurs
The compounds that are part of the so-called Vitamin E can be found in foods such as vegetable oils, some seeds and vegetables in general, but especially in green leafy ones.
The deficit of this group of vitamins is usually seen in very specific cases, such as children who do diets that are very varied and prolonged over time.
It can also be seen in those who present a picture that generates a process of malabsorption of nutrients in the intestine, so that they are not able to properly absorb nutrients.
It is also not uncommon to see in premature children, since the passage of vitamin E from the mother to the fetus occurs mainly in the last weeks of gestation.
Symptoms of vitamin E deficiency
When there is a real deficit of vitamin E, children can have very different symptoms, which can also be difficult to guide if the deficit is not suspected.
The most striking symptoms occur at the neurological level, where progressive deterioration occurs, which can manifest itself in the form of:
** Loss of reflexes ** Lack of coordination ** Tremors
It can also affect other organs, such as the eye, or systems, such as blood, causing anemia.
Vitamin E deficiency treatment
The treatment is relatively simple since it is based on the contribution of the vitamin, although for this it is essential that the pediatrician has been able to make the diagnosis and of course he is in charge of prescribing and controlling the treatment.
In cases where the symptoms are moderate or severe, it may be necessary to treat these.
If the child has a picture of malabsorption then, to the treatment with vitamins, the one of the process or disease that is causing the malabsorption will be added.
The overall prognosis is usually good, although as always it is essential to suspect and treat the condition soon, to avoid the neurological or ocular damage that it can produce.
