What to Do if a 2-Year-Old Has Severe Calcium Deficiency?

Question

What should I do if my 2-year-old has pigeon chest, excessive night sweating, and loves to rub their eyes?

Answer

Childhood calcium deficiency is actually primarily due to a lack of vitamin D, also known as rickets. Deficiency in calcium can lead to symptoms related to the nervous, skeletal, and muscular systems. In the case of mild deficiency or early stages of calcium deficiency, symptoms are mainly related to the nervous system, such as irritability, night terrors, and excessive sweating. In severe cases of calcium deficiency, the nervous system symptoms worsen and may include skeletal and muscular manifestations like delayed closure of fontanelles and delayed tooth eruption. It is important to prevent rickets by correctly understanding the importance of vitamin D and taking appropriate preventive measures.