Signs of zinc deficiency in children

Zinc deficiency in children is currently a matter of concern in poor countries, including Vietnam. According to the National Institute of Nutrition, the rate of zinc deficiency in children in our country is quite high, from 25-40%, depending on the locality and age group.

Signs of zinc deficiency in children

Zinc plays an important role in the development of height, weight, nervous system and immune system of children in the first years of life. If there is a lack of zinc, it will negatively affect the development of height, physical and immune system of children.

Common symptoms in children with zinc deficiency are loss of appetite, abnormal taste, hair loss, prolonged diarrhea, skin and eye damage, and slow growth.

Zinc deficiency affects the sense of taste and smell, making children lose their appetite. In the long run, children will lose their appetite, leading to malnutrition and slow growth.

Zinc is a micronutrient essential for the immune system and height development. If the body's zinc requirement is not met, it will lead to stunted growth, reduced function of most immune cells, and a high risk of infectious diseases and death.

Calcium is one of the substances that helps stabilize the nervous system and zinc is responsible for transporting calcium into the brain. Therefore, if there is a lack of zinc, this process cannot take place, so children often show signs of mental disorders such as irritability, crying, and restless sleep.

Zinc requirements in children

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), children's zinc needs depend on their age.

Children under 3 months need 3mg of zinc per day, children from 5 months to 12 months old need 5 - 8 mg/day, children from 1 year to 10 years old need about 10 - 15 mg/day for optimal height and physical development.

Breast milk is the best source of zinc for children under 6 months of age.

For children under 6 months old, the best and most easily absorbed source of zinc is breast milk. However, the amount of zinc in breast milk will gradually decrease over time. Therefore, mothers need to maintain the amount of zinc in milk as well as supplement zinc for the child's future development by eating foods rich in zinc such as freshwater shrimp, eel, oysters, clams, pig liver, milk, beef, etc.

For babies 6 months and older, zinc can be supplemented through food and supplements prescribed by a doctor. For children to absorb zinc best, mothers should supplement vitamin C for children from fresh fruits rich in vitamin C such as oranges, lemons, tangerines, grapefruits, etc.

According to dantri.com.vn