Vitamin D deficiency is widespread among infants and toddlers.

This is cause for concern because Vitamin D plays a critical role in bone health and development. Insufficient levels during childhood can lead to the development of rickets and this can lead to permanent deformities. A deficiency in adults can increase the risk of osteoporosis. Vitamin D is also now thought to play a role in immune system health – even preventing cancer and autoimmune disorders.

Researchers measured blood levels of vitamin D in 380 children between the ages of eight and 24 months. The researchers found that 40 percent of the children had insufficient levels of vitamin D.
The researchers also took bone X-rays of the children and concluded that those children who were classified as vitamin D deficient also had lower bone density than other children.

Our bodies produce vitamin D when we are exposed to the ultraviolet radiation from sunlight. Because of this, people with darker skin who live far from the equator are thought to be at particular risk for deficiency, especially during the winter months.

Health professionals are starting to conclude that one of the reasons for the increase in vitamin D deficiency is the growing concern over skin cancer. Parents keeping their children out of the sun or overusing sunscreen prevents children from naturally being exposed to vitamin D.

To make sure that your children are not vitamin D deficient, parents need to allow sun exposure on their children’s bare skin without sun block during the middle of the day. Only 10-15 minutes is necessary and watch to make sure the skin doesn’t become at all pink.