12 Key Signs of Calcium Deficiency in Children Every Parent Should Know

Calcium is an essential nutrient that plays a major role in a child's growth and development, especially for strong bones, teeth, and hair. A calcium deficiency can lead to serious consequences such as slow growth, rickets, weak and uneven teeth, and an increased risk of tooth decay. Slow development is one of the key signs that a child may be lacking calcium. As the main component of bones and teeth, calcium makes up around 70% of bone structure. Calcium also supports the immune system, enabling it to protect the body, and helps nerve signals transmit properly. Therefore, calcium deficiency in children often leads to delayed cognitive development, poor reflexes, and less agility compared to their peers. According to recent statistics from the Institute of Social Medicine, the malnutrition rate for children under 5 years old in Vietnam is 29.3%, partly due to calcium deficiency. This is especially critical for children in their physical development phase, where the demand for calcium is high. To meet these needs, it is essential to provide adequate calcium, primarily through nutritious, natural foods like breast milk. However, if a mother cannot produce enough milk or if the child has poor calcium absorption, additional supplementation may be necessary. In these cases, it is important to consult a doctor to avoid the risk of calcium overdose.

Loss of appetite or picky eating is another indicator of calcium deficiency in children. Insufficient calcium intake can lead to poor appetite and a preference for certain foods. When a child consistently refuses to eat or only eats their favorite foods, such as meat, but refuses vegetables or seafood, it can be a sign of calcium deficiency. Prolonged picky eating can significantly affect a child's physical development and harm cognitive abilities, as well as their immune system. Calcium deficiency can weaken the immune system, making children more susceptible to infections and illnesses. It also impacts the central nervous system, leading to symptoms such as laryngeal spasms, breathing difficulties, and stomach cramps, which can cause milk regurgitation. In severe cases, it may even result in respiratory arrest, rapid breathing, and tachycardia, potentially leading to heart failure. It is crucial to maintain a balanced diet, including dairy products, to ensure timely calcium supplementation and help the child grow and develop properly.

Calcium is a crucial component in the structure of bones and teeth. A calcium deficiency weakens the bones, making it harder for them to support the body, which can result in children frequently experiencing leg pain and muscle aches. Insufficient calcium intake leads to fragile bones that can't properly support the body, hindering the child's ability to move freely and perform activities. As a result, children may complain of aching bones, particularly in areas like the shins, feet, and arms while walking or carrying objects. Some children may also experience leg cramps, especially those over 18 months old, which can be an indication of calcium deficiency. Weak, soft bones can make children less active and more prone to sedentary behavior, which increases the risk of obesity compared to their peers. Rickets is a common condition in children going through rapid growth periods. Mild cases may cause poor growth or delayed teething, while severe cases can lead to stunted height, bone deformities like bow legs, and even pelvic bone deformities in girls, which may cause complications during childbirth. The reason children often feel aches at night is due to the fact that bones grow the fastest during this time. If essential nutrients like calcium and iron are not supplied, this rapid growth can cause discomfort. Therefore, it’s important for parents to provide adequate calcium supplements to support their child’s development.

The fontanel is an important and delicate part of a newborn's anatomy. There are two types of fontanels: the anterior and posterior. Although they occupy a small area, these soft spots provide vital insight into the baby's health. The fontanel typically remains open only for a short period after birth, eventually closing on its own. If the fontanel closes too early or too late, it may indicate health issues. Late closure of the fontanel can be a sign of calcium deficiency, leading to rickets, malnutrition, or abnormal brain development. Generally, the fontanel should close between 12–18 months, with an average closure rate of 2.5 mm per month. If the closure is happening too quickly, it might suggest an excess of calcium in the body, while a slow closure can indicate a need for more vitamin D. If the fontanel is still open at one year, a doctor should be consulted. The closure of the fontanel is synchronized with the growth of the skull bones. Additionally, a sunken fontanel could indicate dehydration, but this is usually a more severe symptom. Early signs of dehydration include dry mouth and reduced urination. A wider fontanel than usual could be a sign of rickets, and further symptoms should be observed for diagnosis. To prevent rickets, it's essential for children to receive adequate sunlight exposure in the morning, around 10–15 minutes daily, to ensure proper vitamin D and calcium intake.

In children under one year old, calcium deficiency often manifests in the legs. The common signs include delayed walking and bone & joint deformities, such as bowed legs (O-shaped or X-shaped), loose and weak muscles. Soft bones delay milestones like rolling over, crawling, standing, and walking compared to their peers. Increased bone growth and deformities are signs of rickets, a condition caused by soft bones, which can lead to permanent physical changes. These deformities not only affect appearance but can also cause significant complications later in life, especially for girls, as they may experience difficulties during childbirth due to pelvic bone malformation. It's important for parents to recognize the signs of calcium deficiency early and act quickly to prevent long-term health issues that affect both a child’s development and overall health.

To accurately diagnose calcium deficiency, parents should consider both symptoms and diagnostic tests. A bone density test can assess whether a child is lacking in calcium by showing whether their bones are thin or thick. However, bone density is influenced by both calcium and muscle strength, so alongside calcium supplementation, parents should ensure their child gets adequate physical activity. Good sources of calcium-rich foods include shrimp, crab, fish, dairy, sesame, soybeans, and leafy greens like spinach and amaranth. When introducing solid foods, parents should prioritize calcium-rich, nutrient-dense options for their child.

Cradle cap hair loss is a common condition seen in infants, usually occurring between the ages of 3 to 6 months. It results in hair loss at the back of the head, forming a circular pattern around the scalp. Along with this symptom, babies may also show signs of disturbed sleep, frequent crying, excessive sweating, and reduced activity levels. These are strong indicators that the baby could be suffering from calcium deficiency. The occurrence of cradle cap hair loss (where the hair at the back of the head fails to regrow) may be an early sign of rickets, primarily caused by a vitamin D deficiency that disrupts calcium metabolism. Vitamin D plays a crucial role in hair and follicle development, and it is sourced either from diet or synthesized by the skin under sunlight exposure. Newborns have very low levels of vitamin D at birth, and breast milk often does not provide enough to meet the baby's needs.

Infants are also generally limited in their exposure to sunlight, which makes them highly susceptible to vitamin D deficiency. This condition is not exclusive to undernourished infants; even those with a healthy weight are at risk. Therefore, parents should not take this lightly to avoid any negative impacts on their child’s growth. This hair loss issue, especially in infants over six months, such as a one-year-old with cradle cap hair loss, should not be overlooked. It’s important to identify the root cause and seek treatment accordingly. Parents should consult with specialists to get advice and proper treatment for their child’s hair loss condition.

Delayed teething in children is a common issue where the first baby teeth don't emerge on time. If a child is over 12 months old and has not started teething, this is considered delayed. Tooth decay and delayed teething are frequently seen in young children, and many parents are unaware of how to treat them, which can affect their child's future development. Calcium is a vital component of healthy teeth, and a deficiency in calcium can lead to dental issues such as cavities. Children with low calcium levels may experience delayed teething compared to their peers. Some children may also experience uneven tooth growth, loose teeth, or early tooth loss, all of which can be caused by calcium deficiency and poor dietary intake of phosphorus.

To prevent calcium deficiency, parents should ensure that their child receives sufficient calcium through their diet. For infants, daily sunlight exposure is a great way to help them absorb calcium through the production of vitamin D. Mothers who are breastfeeding should ensure they maintain a nutritious diet to provide the best quality milk for their babies. A diet rich in collagen, vitamin D, calcium, and other minerals is crucial. While vitamin D and calcium supplements may be necessary, they should only be administered according to a doctor's recommendations to avoid potential digestive issues or loss of appetite due to overdose.

Hiccups are involuntary spasms of the diaphragm that occur suddenly and repeatedly. These spasms force air through the vocal cords, producing the characteristic sound. Babies may also spit up milk shortly after feeding, or even bring up milk from previous feedings. However, if vomiting and spitting up persist or are accompanied by other symptoms, it may indicate an underlying health issue. Therefore, parents should monitor their child and take appropriate action. Frequent hiccups, difficulty breathing, and spitting up could be signs of calcium deficiency. In severe cases, this can lead to difficulty breathing, rapid breathing, and irregular heart rhythms, which may contribute to heart failure.

If your baby is also showing signs like arching their back, restless sleep, or jerking movements, these may be symptoms of calcium deficiency and should be addressed (possibly through maternal nutrition). Breast milk is the best source of calcium for infants, so mothers should maintain a balanced diet. Spitting up is common in newborns and infants, usually diminishing after 6 months when the baby begins solid foods, which help prevent reflux. Additionally, as babies start sitting up, the chances of spitting up reduce. This issue generally resolves by the time the baby reaches one year old. However, if the spitting up continues or is accompanied by fever, coughing, rashes, abdominal pain, or seizures, parents should consult a doctor immediately.

Calcium plays a crucial role in the immune system by aiding white blood cells in detecting, surrounding, and destroying harmful bacteria and toxins. A deficiency in calcium weakens a child's immune defenses, making them more vulnerable to respiratory and digestive illnesses. Calcium-deficient children often sweat excessively, especially at night while sleeping. If not properly dried, this can increase the risk of pneumonia. While many parents believe pneumonia only occurs in winter or is caused by bacteria and viruses, it can also affect children during hot weather. In fact, some children experience recurrent pneumonia episodes throughout the year, and a common yet overlooked cause is calcium deficiency.

Experts explain that calcium deficiency leads to muscle weakness, including poor respiratory muscle function. Without proper care, this can result in respiratory infections, bronchitis, and even pneumonia. Pneumonia can become a recurring issue, affecting a child's energy levels and growth. Calcium is vital for both physical and mental development, so parents should ensure their children receive sufficient calcium to support their growth. Including calcium-rich foods like milk, shrimp, fish, dark leafy vegetables, and fresh fruits in the daily diet is essential. Additionally, parents should take advantage of sunny days to expose their children to sunlight, helping them absorb calcium and boosting their immune system.

Calcium is a crucial component in the formation of bones and teeth, making up about 70% of bone structure. It also plays a significant role in supporting the immune system and enabling proper nerve signal transmission. For growing children, especially during periods of physical development and bone growth, the need for calcium is particularly high. Ensuring that children get enough calcium is essential. Why do children have trouble sleeping and how can parents help them sleep better? This is a common concern for many parents. In fact, sleep difficulties are not only a problem for adults, but children can also suffer from poor sleep. Many parents mistakenly believe that young children cannot experience sleep disorders, but studies show that about 25% of children struggle with insomnia and sleep disturbances to varying degrees.

Calcium deficiency is a common issue in children who consume little calcium-rich foods. Lack of calcium affects bone and joint development, leading to symptoms like muscle aches, joint pain, restlessness, difficulty falling asleep, shallow sleep, and frequent waking during the night. Calcium helps regulate the balance between excitatory and inhibitory signals in the brain, participating in the release of neurotransmitters like acetylcholine. When children are deficient in calcium, it disrupts nerve signal transmission in the central nervous system, causing their brain to remain overly active, which leads to trouble falling asleep, poor sleep quality, and frequent waking. If your child is showing these signs, consider increasing their calcium intake through foods like leafy greens, soybeans and soy-based products, yogurt, cheese, calcium-enriched milk, and particularly seafood like shrimp, crab, and lobster.

Vitamin D plays a crucial role in enhancing calcium absorption in the body, so a deficiency in vitamin D can lead to calcium deficiency. Newborns who lack vitamin D often experience night sweats. Most infants under 12 months have low levels of vitamin D because this is the period of rapid development for muscles, bones, and joints. Preterm infants, low birth weight babies, those with chronic infections, rickets, or digestive disorders are at a higher risk of significant vitamin D deficiency. One of the signs of calcium deficiency in children is frequent startling, crying, and night sweating. A lack of calcium can cause children to sweat more, especially around the back of the head where contact with the pillow occurs, even in cool or cold weather. However, a proper diagnosis should be made by a doctor, who may also recommend tests to confirm the condition.

To ensure a child's health and development, it is important to follow a well-balanced and nutritious diet. Insufficient or unbalanced nutrition can lead to various health issues that hinder physical, mental, and motor development. Night sweating caused by calcium deficiency or rickets is not related to room temperature or weather conditions. In fact, rickets is primarily caused by a deficiency in vitamin D, not just calcium. If you notice any abnormalities in your child's bones or neurological symptoms, in addition to calcium supplementation, ensure they get adequate sunlight exposure and take vitamin D supplements.

Calcium plays an important role in regulating the balance between excitation and inhibition in the brain's cortex in young children. A deficiency in calcium can disrupt the metabolic processes of the central nervous system. Children can only sleep when the brain's cortex stops being overly excited, but calcium deficiency leads to continuous excitement in the cortex, preventing relaxation and causing sleep difficulties, even insomnia. Lack of calcium also interferes with the central nervous system's function, slowing the transmission of signals from tryptophan to melatonin, which normally helps induce sleep, leading to frequent startling and crying at night. In addition, children may experience laryngeal spasms causing difficulty breathing, or reflux due to stomach contractions, contributing to disrupted sleep and restlessness.

Calcium deficiency can also slow metabolic processes, causing children to grow more slowly and potentially leading to malnutrition or stunted growth. Without adequate health and disturbed sleep patterns, children may become exhausted, cranky, and restless, making their sleep light and interrupted. Parents should be attentive to abnormal crying patterns such as high-pitched, intense crying, a red or bluish face, and rigid body movements. If the crying lasts for hours or even through the night, it could be a sign of calcium deficiency. This not only disrupts the family’s sleep but can also harm the child’s health. In severe cases, a lack of calcium can even be life-threatening. Therefore, it is crucial to provide sufficient calcium by including a variety of calcium-rich foods in the child’s daily diet.