Micronutrient deficiencies in children are caused by many factors. Micronutrient deficiencies in children can cause many serious effects on health and development. So how to prevent micronutrient deficiencies in children?

Micronutrients are divided into two groups: minerals including iron, zinc, calcium, phosphorus, copper, iodine, selenium, … and vitamins such as vitamins A, C, E, D, B, … For children, micronutrients play an important role in children’s physical and mental development and help children stay healthy and prevent diseases.

Children’s bodies cannot synthesize micronutrients themselves and must be supplemented from their daily diet. However, for many reasons, children may not receive enough micronutrients to meet their body’s needs.

1. Causes of micronutrient deficiencies in children

Micronutrient deficiencies in children are conditions in which children lack important minerals and vitamins for health, occurring on a community scale, usually vitamin A, iodine, iron, zinc, folic acid.

There are many causes of micronutrient deficiencies in children, specifically:

• Zinc deficiency: Pregnant mothers are zinc deficient, infants are not breastfed, children eat little meat, children have poor diets.
• Iron deficiency: Pregnant mothers are iron deficient, premature babies, low birth weight, children drink cow’s milk early (before 12 months of age), due to changes in behavioral and neurological development.
• Vitamin A, vitamin D deficiency: Children are not exclusively breastfed (children do not drink milk, eat solid foods early) or do not breastfeed.

In addition, regional geographical factors also greatly affect the diet and micronutrient deficiencies in children.

Poor diet is one of the causes of micronutrient deficiencies in children.

2. Foods to supplement micronutrient deficiencies in children

Micronutrient deficiencies in children can cause iron deficiency anemia, rickets due to vitamin D and calcium deficiency, goiter due to iodine deficiency, malnutrition and decreased resistance due to zinc deficiency and eye diseases due to vitamin A deficiency.

Here are some suggestions for foods to help supplement micronutrients for children:

• Zinc: Zinc is abundant in meat, liver, seafood, eggs, milk, whole grains. Zinc is essential for cell production, growth and recovery, helping to strengthen the immune system. Children with zinc micronutrient deficiency may have poor appetite, slow growth, and are susceptible to infectious diseases.
• Iron: Iron is found in red meat (beef, lamb, …), dark green vegetables, eggs, and cereals. Iron helps prevent iron deficiency anemia, supports brain development and strengthens the immune system. Children with iron deficiency can lead to anemia, slow brain development, and decreased resistance.
• Calcium: Calcium is found in salmon, sardines, tofu, milk and dairy products, cabbage, etc. Calcium helps strengthen bones and teeth, supports antibodies to protect the body and nervous system. Children with calcium micronutrient deficiency can lead to rickets and slow development.
• Vitamin A: Vitamin A is abundant in yellow and dark green vegetables and fruits such as pumpkin, carrots, tomatoes, etc. Vitamin A is very important for the eyes and skin. Children with vitamin A deficiency can have dry eyes and eye diseases such as blindness.
• Vitamin C: Vitamin C is abundant in vegetables and fruits such as oranges, lemons, grapefruit, strawberries, and broccoli. Vitamin C helps fight oxidation, forms collagen for firm skin, strengthens teeth and gums, absorbs iron, and enhances the body’s ability to fight infections. Children with vitamin C micronutrient deficiency will have decreased resistance.
• Vitamin D: Vitamin D is abundant in salmon, liver, eggs, cheese, and margarine. Vitamin D promotes the absorption and use of calcium and phosphorus for strong bones and teeth. Children with vitamin D deficiency may have rickets and jaundice.

Fortified foods for children with micronutrient deficiencies

3. Preventing micronutrient deficiencies in children with LaminKid health protection food

To prevent micronutrient deficiencies in children, it is necessary to start from the fetal stage by providing adequate nutrients for the mother and fetus. After birth, in the first 6 months of life, the child needs to be exclusively breastfed and the mother needs to pay attention to eating a full range of foods and multivitamins to provide the child with a source of nutritious breast milk.

From 6 months of age, children are weaned to supplement micronutrients in addition to breast milk. The child’s daily diet must ensure 4 main groups of nutrients: starch, protein, sugar and fat, the menu needs to be varied to meet the needs as well as prevent micronutrient deficiencies in children.

Children with micronutrient deficiencies can be due to deficiencies from the fetal stage leading to premature birth and low birth weight. After birth, children are not exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life, are given solid foods too early, and have a poor diet later on.

Once you know the causes of micronutrient deficiencies in children and the role of micronutrients in their development, parents should pay attention to providing adequate nutrition to ensure good development for children at each stage.