Recognizing the symptoms of vitamin B6 deficiency can help you seek timely medical advice and ensure your child receives the nutrients needed for optimal health.
Vitamin B6 is a vital nutrient for children, essential for healthy brain development, immune system, and overall growth. Despite its importance, many children can suffer from vitamin B6 deficiency, which can lead to a variety of health problems. As a parent, it is essential to be on the lookout for signs that may indicate a deficiency. Recognizing these symptoms early can help you seek timely medical advice and ensure your child is receiving the nutrients needed for optimal health. Below are 6 symptoms of vitamin B6 deficiency to look out for in your child.
SIGNS OF VITAMIN B6 DEFICIENCY IN CHILDREN
• Irritability or sudden changes in behavior: Parents, you may notice that your child has become moody or is unable to concentrate on studies or any tasks, which may hinder his or her academic performance.
• Skin rashes or persistent irritation around the mouth: Both symptoms indicate that the child may have a vitamin B6 deficiency.
• Frequent illnesses: The child will get sick again and again due to a weakened immune response associated with inadequate levels of vitamin B6.
• Fatigue and tiredness: If your child is deficient in vitamin B6, he or she may suffer from anemia. The child will present symptoms such as fatigue, weakness and paleness that require timely intervention. If your child seems exhausted due to lack of energy, take him or her to a specialist, who will recommend that you monitor his or her vitamin B6 levels.
• Vomiting, nausea and lack of appetite: Children who have low levels of vitamin B6 may present signs and symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and lack of appetite that will require immediate attention.
• Mood swings: If your child is irritable, moody, frustrated, or constantly insistent, it is necessary to check his or her vitamin B6 levels. Mood swings can be due to low vitamin B6 levels. Here are some of the signs that indicate vitamin B6 deficiency in children.
According to Dr Jagdish Kathwate, Consultant Neonatologist and Paediatrician, Motherhood Hospital Kharadi Pune, “If your child is found to be deficient in Vitamin B6, consider including the following foods in his or her daily diet – eggs, banana, salmon, figs, raisins, avocado, dates, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds and flax seeds. Parents, you can consult a nutrition expert who will give you the best guidance on the best foods for children. By following the expert’s advice, you can help ensure that your child achieves the recommended levels of Vitamin B6.”
