Nutrition experts warn of vitamin D toxicity and iron deficiency in children

Medical experts in Vietnam are warning parents about the risks of improper nutritional supplementation in children. At Hanoi Children's Hospital, doctors treated a 32-month-old boy for severe iron deficiency anemia and fatigue caused by excessive milk consumption. The child's reliance on 6-7 boxes of fresh milk daily led to a false sense of fullness, causing him to skip iron-rich foods like meat, fish, and vegetables.

Additionally, cases at the National Children's Hospital have highlighted the dangers of vitamin D toxicity. Two siblings, aged 3 years and 18 months, suffered acute kidney failure due to improper, high-dose vitamin D supplementation. Symptoms included vomiting, constipation, and abdominal pain, with tests confirming hypercalcemia and extremely high vitamin D levels.

While vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption and bone development, experts from the National Institute of Nutrition emphasize that it must be administered according to professional guidelines. Although vitamin D is synthesized through UVB sunlight exposure and certain foods, improper use can lead to serious health complications rather than improved immunity.