What Happens If Children Have a Vitamin B Deficiency?

What is vitamin B deficiency?

Vitamin B deficiency occurs when the body lacks an adequate amount of vitamin B. This can result from insufficient intake of foods containing vitamin B or due to certain health conditions. Each type of vitamin B is essential for proper bodily function, and since they are water-soluble and cannot be stored in the body, they must be consumed regularly to prevent deficiency.

What happens if children have a vitamin B deficiency?

If lacking in B1, babies may have poor appetite, indigestion, and delayed growth.

If lacking in B2, it may cause angular stomatitis, whitish, and cracked corners of the mouth, and dry, cracked lips.

In babies under 6 months of age who lack vitamin B6 in their diet, they may show signs of nervousness, increased excitement, and frequent convulsions, leading to depression, drowsiness, and intellectual dullness. In infancy, it manifests as generalized convulsions, and other manifestations include peripheral neuritis.

Lack of vitamin B12, the skin becomes pale, white hair becomes sparse yellow, mental fatigue, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, and may even lead to megaloblastic anemia.

How to prevent vitamin B deficiency?

The sources of vitamin B include animal foods such as red meat, fish, poultry, eggs, milk, and dairy products, so consuming foods rich in vitamin B is a good choice.

If you have concerns about your child's diet or nutritional intake, consult with a healthcare provider or a dietitian for personalized advice.

Reference: Healthdirect Australia、Cleveland Clinic