Fat soluble vitamin deficiency in infants

Infants and young children are particularly at risk of vitamins deficiency. It starts with the fact that vitamin deficiencies are present throughout life cycle, and an infant born to a mother with vitamin deficiency will have lower stores some nutrients at birth.

Although it is often difficult to isolate the effects of nutritional deficiencies from other socioeconomic complications, severe vitamin deficiencies have a direct influence on the developing brain.

Fat soluble vitamin deficiency is more common and can be detected biochemically before clinical symptoms, which are obvious only when severe deficiencies appear.

Hypo or hypervitaminosis A can lead to developmental and learning disabilities as well as problems with motor, balance, eye problems and mood and emotional disturbances.

The classical presentation of vitamin D deficiency in infants is rickets. Clinical and radiological rickets may take several months to develop depending on the growth rate.

Deficiency of vitamin E leads to hemolysis, peripheral neuropathy and occasionally visual loss. Vitamin E deficiency can occur in infants with severe forms of fat malabsorption.

Vitamin K deficiency may result in vitamin K deficiency bleeding. Bleeding usually occurs from the umbilical stump or after minor procedures, but serious events such as gastrointestinal and cerebral hemorrhage are also possible.
Fat soluble vitamin deficiency in infants