How to give vitamin e to children. Why vitamin E for newborns? Possible adverse reactions in a child and an overdose of vitamins A and E

Reading 6 min. Views 505 Published on 04.03.2018

Good time, dear readers.

A deficiency of any useful trace element can turn into a real disaster for a child, so a mother needs to correctly compose a menu for herself and her baby. Today's topic: why do children need vitamin E, where it is contained, how to avoid beriberi. Is it enough just to eat right to regularly replenish the reserves of this substance, or do you need to resort to pharmaceutical preparations?

Why does a child need vitamin E

Vitamin E (tocopherol) controls the correct use of protein compounds that are involved in the structure of new cells, is responsible for the growth of the child and the proper functioning of many internal organs.

VitaminEWhy is it good for children:

1. Tocopherol is a powerful antioxidant that eliminates the harmful effects of free radicals on the body, which are formed during the metabolic process. And since the metabolism in the child's body is more intense, he needs a lot of antioxidants.
2. Regulates the absorption of proteins that come with food, makes the body use them rationally.
3. Necessary for normal blood clotting, strengthens the walls of blood vessels, prevents the destruction of red blood cells.
4. Supports the normal development and functioning of muscle tissue, skeletal muscles, heart, endocrine system.
5. It is necessary for the proper formation and development of the organs of the reproductive and reproductive systems in adolescents.
6. It takes an indirect part in the formation of strong immunity, helps the body to quickly cope with pathogenic viruses and bacteria.

Tocopherol is especially needed for babies under one year old - in the first year of life, the weight of the child should increase by 3 times. Such intensive growth is impossible without vitamin E, but with proper nutrition of the mother, the baby receives this substance in the right amount.

Deficiency and excess of vitamin E

How does vitamin E deficiency manifest itself? The baby often gets sick, against the background of colds, chronic tonsillitis, bronchitis, sinusitis develops, the child gains weight poorly, his muscles are weak, and convulsions bother him. In newborns, a lack of this element can cause the development of hemolytic anemia, babies eat and sleep poorly, and suffer from increased excitability.

Tocopherol deficiency symptoms:

• dry hair, brittle nails;
• lag in physical and mental development;
• decreased reflexes;
• impaired coordination, speech, decreased visual acuity at dusk.

An overdose of tocopherol is also dangerous, hypervitaminosis manifests itself in the form of nausea, vomiting, stool disorders, severe migraines, weakness, decreased vision, and hormonal imbalances may occur. With prolonged excess of the dose, pressure rises, frequent bleeding occurs, and liver function worsens.

Where to find vitamin E

Tocopherol is a fat-soluble vitamin, so it is abundant in foods high in vegetable fats. Rich in vitamin E corn, soybean, peanut butter, sunflower seeds, almonds and walnuts, cashews. But even if you constantly eat right, vitamin deficiency can be more than 20%.

Where else is vitamin E found?

• apricots, dried apricots, sea buckthorn and wild rose berries, apples;
• fatty fish;
• veal, beef liver;
• legumes, spinach, broccoli;
• quail eggs;
• homemade milk and sour cream;
• germinated cereals.

Tocopherol is partially destroyed during heat treatment, almost completely disappears under the influence of air and heat.

Vegetable oils contain polyunsaturated acids that prevent the absorption of tocopherol, therefore, with obvious signs of a deficiency of this substance, special pharmaceutical preparations are prescribed.

How much vitamin E does a child need

The daily amount of tocopherol depends on the age, general condition of the child, there are average values, but the pediatrician can tell you a more accurate dosage.

How do you know if a child needs extra vitamin E? It is necessary to do a blood test, if the concentration of tocopherol in plasma is less than 0.4 mg%, you need to include more plant foods in the diet, take the vitamin additionally in the form of pharmaceutical preparations.

Average daily doses of vitamin E:

• newborns - 4 IU;
• babies up to a year - 5-6 IU;
• up to 8 years - 7 IU;
• 8-12 years - 8-9 IU;
• teenagers - 10 IU.

Increased doses of the vitamin are necessary for premature babies, babies with congenital pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, lipid metabolism disorders, and cystic fibrosis.

Tocopherol is best used together with vitamin A, D. Iron preparations destroy vitamin E, so if medicines with these substances can be taken at least two hours apart.

Vitamin E for children in drops - needed or not

Preparations with tocopherol are included in the complex therapy for colds, flu, immunodeficiency states, they are also necessary for children whose weight is much lower than average. Contraindications - hypersensitivity, iron deficiency anemia, problems with blood clotting, a tendency to form blood clots, some heart pathologies.

When to take drugs with tocopherol:

• prone to colds;
• weight deficit;
• jaundice, cirrhosis of the liver, Crohn's disease;
• unbalanced diet;
• pathology of the biliary tract, chronic cholestasis;
• increased physical activity, overwork;
• recovery after a severe and prolonged illness;
• living in a region with poor environmental conditions, high background radiation.

Drops with tocopherol are released in the form of a 5.10.30% solution, so 1 ml of the drug contains 50, 100, 300 mg of vitaminErespectively. To make it easier to measure the medicine - 1 ml of medicine is equal to 30 drops from a regular eye dropper.

If the baby does not suffer from weight loss, was born on time, does not have gastrointestinal diseases, then to prevent vitamin E deficiency, it is enough to give 1 mg of tocopherol monthly. The medicine should be diluted in a teaspoon with a little water, given to drink in the morning an hour after feeding. Children under 6 years old should be given 5 drops of a 5% solution per day, over 7 years old - 10 drops of a 5% solution per day.

The exact dosage and duration of therapy must be agreed with the pediatrician. But recently, more and more doctors recommend to refrain from the prophylactic intake of vitamin E in its pure form for children under 12 years of age.

What to look for when choosing and taking vitamin E supplements

Vitamin E is commercially available in the form of capsules and drops, and may contain natural and synthetic tocopherol. Natural preparations are labeled d, artificial - dl.

Natural vitamin E is 2 times more effective than its synthetic counterpart. Vitamin E preparations are best taken in the morning, so they will be better absorbed.

If your baby is often sick, to strengthen immunity, give him vitamins 2 times a year that contain vitamin A, E, ascorbic acid - Alphabet, Pikovit, Multi-tabs.

Conclusion

Now you know how important and useful vitamin E is for a child, how to avoid beriberi.

Thank you

The site provides reference information for informational purposes only. Diagnosis and treatment of diseases should be carried out under the supervision of a specialist. All drugs have contraindications. Expert advice is required!

General characteristics, forms and name of vitamin E

Vitamin E is a mixture of eight bioorganic structures that have the same properties and are its varieties. These varieties of vitamin E are called vitamers and are divided into two large classes - tocopherols and tocotrienols. Four vitamers E belong to tocopherols and tocotrienols. In principle, all eight vitamers have almost the same activity, therefore, they are not separated in instructions for use and various descriptions. Therefore, when they talk about vitamin E, they use the common name for all vitamers - tocopherol.

But the first of the vitamers E was obtained and identified alpha-tocopherol, which is most often found in nature and is the most active. At present, the activity of alpha-tocopherol is taken as the standard, and it is with it that the activities of all other vitamers E are compared. Therefore, in some very detailed descriptions of any preparation with vitamin E, you can see that its content corresponds to N units, equivalent to the activity of 1 mg alpha -tocopherol. But at present, the amount of vitamin E is usually expressed in international units (IU) or milligrams, with 1 IU = 1 mg.

Alpha-, beta- and gamma-tocopherols have the most pronounced vitamin activity. And delta-tocopherol has the strongest antioxidant properties. Manufacturers of various drugs, depending on their purpose, introduce the necessary variety of vitamin E into the composition in order to ensure the most pronounced biological effect.

Since tocopherol dissolves in fats, it is able to accumulate in the human body in almost all organs and tissues. This happens when a large amount of vitamin E enters the body, it does not have time to be excreted, it penetrates into all organs and tissues, where it dissolves in membrane fats, forming a depot. The greatest amount of vitamin E is able to accumulate in the liver, testicles, pituitary gland, adipose tissue, red blood cells and muscles.

Due to this ability to accumulate, vitamin E can be in the body in high concentrations, much higher than normal, which leads to disruption of various organs and systems. An excess amount of vitamin E in the body is called hypervitaminosis and, just like hypovitaminosis, it is accompanied by clinical manifestations that occur due to disruption of many organs and systems.

Insufficient intake of vitamin E in the body leads to its deficiency or hypovitaminosis, which is accompanied by a malfunction of organs with characteristic clinical symptoms.

That is, in relation to vitamin E in the human body, both its excess and deficiency can be created, and both conditions cause disturbances in the normal functioning of various organs. This means that vitamin E should be consumed only in the required amount, avoiding its excessive or insufficient intake into the body.

Absorption and excretion of vitamin E

Approximately 50% of the total amount of vitamin E contained in the food bolus is absorbed from the intestines, provided that there is a normal amount of fat and bile. If there is little fat or bile in the intestine, then less than 50% of the incoming vitamin E is absorbed.

In the process of absorption from the intestine, vitamin E forms a complex with fatty acids (chylomicrons), in which it first penetrates into the lymph and then into the blood. In the blood, vitamin E is released from the complex with chylomicrons and binds to proteins. It is in this complex protein + vitamin E that it is carried by the bloodstream to all organs and tissues.

In tissues, vitamin E releases from protein binding and, in combination with vitamin A, participates in the synthesis of ubiquinone Q, a substance that transfers oxygen from red blood cells directly into the cell.

Vitamin E is excreted from the body both unchanged and in the form of metabolites. Moreover, most of the vitamin E - 90% is excreted with feces through the intestines, and only 10% - with urine through the kidneys.

The biological role of vitamin E

Also, vitamin E reduces blood clotting, preventing excessive thrombosis, and therefore improving microcirculation and preventing blood stasis in various organs and tissues. A decrease in blood clotting activity leads to the fact that it flows better through the vessels without clogging them. In addition, vitamin E makes the walls of blood vessels smooth, as a result of which cholesterol plaques are not deposited on them, thereby preventing atherosclerosis. Improving the properties of the blood and the condition of the vessels, as well as the prevention of atherosclerosis together provide the prevention of cardiovascular insufficiency with the regular use of vitamin E.

Vitamin E improves the functioning of the immune system, thereby preventing infectious and inflammatory diseases of any organs. In combination with vitamin A, it protects the lungs from the negative effects of polluted air. Vitamin E also improves muscle tone and performance, relieves convulsions and accelerates the healing of various wounds and burns. With the use of vitamin E, wounds heal with little or no scarring.

Separately, it must be said that vitamin E improves sexual function in men and women, favorably affecting the production of hormones and the condition of the reproductive organs. For example, in women, tocopherol improves blood supply to the uterus and ovaries, and also contributes to the production of the required amount of progesterone and the formation of the placenta during pregnancy. In women, vitamin E facilitates the course of premenstrual and menopausal syndrome, and also contributes to the complete cure of fibrous formations of the mammary gland. In men, vitamin E improves sperm quality by normalizing the functioning of the gonads. In addition, tocopherol significantly improves potency.

In all people, regardless of gender, vitamin E reduces blood pressure, expands and strengthens the walls of blood vessels, prevents cataracts and anemia, and also maintains the normal functioning of the nervous system.

As an antioxidant, vitamin E has the following biological effects on the human body:

• Actively binds to free radicals, deactivating them;
• Protects cells from damage by free radicals;
• Slows down already running processes of free radical oxidation of lipids and DNA of cells;
• Reduces the rate of formation of new free radicals;
• Protects other vitamins from the negative effects of free radicals;
• Improves the absorption of vitamin A;
• Prevents the appearance of senile pigmentation on the skin in the form of brown spots;
• Destroys and prevents the appearance of cancer cells, thereby reducing the risk of malignant neoplasms of various organs;
• By protecting cells from damage by free radicals, it reduces the rate of aging;
• Improves the formation of collagen and elastin necessary to maintain the properties of connective tissue;
• Facilitates the course of diabetes and Alzheimer's disease.

Vitamin E intake

The daily requirement of an adult and a child over two years of age in vitamin E is 8-12 IU, and in men, all other things being equal, it is higher than in women. In children of the first year of life, the need for vitamin E is 3-5 mg.

The need for tocopherol increases in the following situations:
1. Active muscular work, for example, during sports, physical labor, etc.
2. Eating large amounts of vegetable oil.
3. Pregnancy and breastfeeding increase the need for vitamin E by at least 2 to 5 IU.
4. The period of recovery after infectious and inflammatory diseases.
5. The healing period of various wounds.

According to the norms of dietary nutrition, the consumption of 15 mg of vitamin E per day by adults and children over three years old is considered optimal. Safe from the point of view of the development of hypervitaminosis is the consumption of a maximum of 100 mg of vitamin E per day. This means that you can consume up to 100 IU of tocopherol per day without fear of developing hypervitaminosis.

However, clinical studies conducted in recent years indicate that more correct and, at the same time, safe dosages of vitamin E are 100-400 IU for adults and 50-100 IU for children. It is these dosages of vitamin E that provide not only the physiological needs of the body, but also effectively resist the aging process. For some diseases, as part of complex therapy, vitamin E can be taken in dosages of 1200 - 3000 IU.

In blood serum, the normal concentration of vitamin E is 21-22 µmol/ml.

Symptoms of deficiency and lack of vitamin E in the body

• Violation of tissue respiration;
• muscle weakness;
• Deterioration of potency in men;
• High risk of miscarriage, fading of pregnancy or spontaneous abortion in women;
• Early toxicosis of pregnancy;
• Anemia due to hemolysis (destruction) of red blood cells;
• Decreased level of reflexes (hyporeflexia);
• Ataxia (impaired coordination of movements);
• Dysarthria (violation of articulation of speech with the impossibility of normal pronunciation of words and sounds);
• Reduced sensitivity;
• retinal dystrophy;
• Hepatonecrosis (death of liver cells);
• nephrotic syndrome;
• Increased activity of creatine phosphokinase and alanine aminotransferase in the blood.

Hypervitaminosis can develop in two cases - firstly, with prolonged use of high doses of vitamin A, and secondly, with a single dose of a very large amount of tocopherol. However, in practice, hypervitaminosis E is very rare, since this vitamin is not toxic, and its excess is used by the body as an antioxidant. Thus, almost the entire amount of vitamin E entering the body can be effectively used without remaining free and without damaging various organs and tissues.

Clinical studies have shown that even daily intake of vitamin E at 200-3000 IU per day for 10 years did not lead to the development of hypervitaminosis. A single high dose of vitamin E can cause nausea, flatulence, diarrhea, or high blood pressure, which go away on their own and do not require any special treatment or discontinuation of the drug.

In principle, hypervitaminosis E can provoke the development of the following symptoms:

• A decrease in the total number of platelets in the blood (thrombocytopenia), leading to bleeding;
• Decrease in blood coagulation (hypocoagulation), provoking bleeding;
• night blindness;
• Dyspeptic symptoms (heartburn, belching, nausea, flatulence, heaviness in the abdomen after eating, etc.);
• Decreased glucose concentration (hypoglycemia);
• General weakness;
• muscle cramps;
• Deterioration of potency in men;
• Increased blood pressure;
• Enlargement of the liver (hepatomegaly);
• An increase in the concentration of bilirubin in the blood (hyperbilirubinemia);
• Hemorrhage in the retina or brain;
• An increase in the concentration of triglycerides (TG) in the blood.

With intravenous administration of vitamin E, swelling, redness, and soft tissue calcification may occur at the injection site.

Vitamin E - content in products

• Soybean, cottonseed, corn, sunflower and olive oils;
• Germinated grains of corn and wheat;
• Corn in grains;
• Pearl barley, oatmeal and corn;
• Shrimps;
• squids;
• Egg;
• Zander;
• Mackerel.

Products containing a sufficiently large amount of vitamin E, but not the maximum, are as follows:

• Citrus fruits (oranges, tangerines, clementines, minolis, pomelo, grapefruits, lemons, limes, etc.);
• Animal and fish liver;
• Acne;
• Sunflower seeds ;
• Hazelnut;
• Dried apricots;

Vitamin E preparations

In addition, there are monocomponent and multicomponent preparations containing vitamin E. Monocomponent preparations contain only vitamin E in various dosages, and multicomponent preparations contain several vitamins, minerals, trace elements or other useful substances.

The dosage of vitamin E can be different, however, both in dietary supplements and in pharmacological preparations, it is standardized and is indicated in IU or mg. Due to the relatively low dosage, dietary supplements can only be used for prophylactic use as an additional source of vitamin E. And pharmacological preparations are used for both prevention and treatment.

Synthetic vitamins E

• Aevit;
• Alphabet "Our baby";
• Alphabet "Kindergarten";
• Alpha-tocopherol acetate solution in oil;
• Biovital Vitamin E;
• Biovital-gel;
• Vitamin E 100;
• Vitamin E 200;
• Vitamin E 400;
• Vitamin E 50% type SD powder;
• Vitamin E-acetate;
• Vitamin E Zentiva;
• Vita bears;

Vitamin E is a group of fat-soluble substances. The main goal in the body is to neutralize free radicals. Compared to other beneficial substances, vitamin E is not a very powerful antioxidant, but it has other beneficial properties involved in the development of the child's body.
Science has given several names to vitamin E. 8 natural forms of this substance have also been identified. The leading groups are tocopherols and tocotrienols. They can be isolated from natural substances, and they can be obtained synthetically. Synthetically obtained vitamins on sale can be found most often and at an affordable price, but the natural component is two to four times more expensive than the synthetic one. Tocopherol can be found as an additive to some other drugs, since studies are now underway on the use of tocopherol in its pure form. Both tocopherols and tocotrienols have different properties and have different effects on the body. This means that all types of vitamin E are the same in structure, but not the same in their effect. The most active form is alpha-tocopherol.

Vitamin E for children is characterized by a number of useful properties. This substance acts in the mitochondria, that is, deeper than at the cellular level. Vitamin E is a component of the cell membrane and protects it from oxidation. Also, the substance has a positive effect on red blood cells, ensuring their easy permeability through blood vessels and capillaries. This allows the erythrocytes not to stick together and not remain on the walls of blood vessels. Tocopherol is useful for relaxing vascular muscles and expanding them. It affects the proper development of a child up to a year of the nervous system, muscular system, liver and other organs.
In addition to these properties, we note that tocopherol strengthens the immune system, protects the body from infections, improves the regenerative capacity of tissues, takes part in the production of hormones, reduces body fatigue, ensures normal blood clotting, and normalizes blood sugar levels. This is especially true for a child with diabetes.

Vitamin E, also known as tocopherol, is one of the most valuable for normal metabolism and energy distribution, healthy body weight and growth, and physical activity of a child. In general, vitamin E from foods is absorbed only by 20-40%. That is why, especially when indicated, vitamin E for children is needed as a food supplement.

Fat-soluble vitamin E promotes the renewal of body cells, prevents various inflammatory processes. It is one of the powerful antioxidants that accumulates and is stored in adipose tissue, contributes to normal heart function and muscle development.

What foods can you get vitamin E from?

Although the human body absorbs tocopherol better from food of animal origin, it is most abundant in plant foods (in the form of tocopherylquinone, it is found in leaves, stems, and fruits). Here are the products in which it is present - in descending order of content:

It should be borne in mind that during heat treatment, part of the vitamin is lost. In addition, it is sensitive to light and oxygen. This means that getting the required amount of it from ordinary food can be difficult, especially if you are not a supporter of a balanced diet.

Who Needs Vitamin E?

According to parents' reviews, pediatricians quite often prescribe tocopherol together with vitamins A and C to frequently ill children. It is an effective antioxidant group for boosting immunity. This combination is especially recommended in the treatment of underweight at an early age.

Tocopherol preparations can be given to a baby only after consulting a pediatrician, since many pharmaceuticals in this category are recommended for children of school age. It is important to observe the dosage, especially for newborns. Among the side effects of an overdose:

• visual impairment;
• hormonal disorders;
• the appearance of migraines;
• stomach upset;
• nausea;
• general weakness.

Obstetrician-gynecologist, researcher Elena Berezovskaya, head of the International Academy of Healthy Life, expresses her opinion about the lack of vitamin E, which is especially typical for the following categories of children.

• Premature newborns(especially with a weight of less than 1500 g), since they have not formed the process of assimilation of fats. In such babies, tocopherol deficiency manifests itself in damage to the retina or infectious diseases.
• Children with congenital eating disorder- some diseases associated with impaired absorption of fats (cystic fibrosis). Also, these are diseases of the nervous system, retina, muscle pathology, immune system, genetic abnormalities. Toddlers may be treated with water-soluble (synthetic) forms of tocopherol.
• Children with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract associated with impaired absorption of nutrients (intestinal malabsorption).

According to Elena Berezovskaya, other categories of children under normal living conditions rarely become "victims" of vitamin deficiency - most often, poor nutrition is "guilty", which contains critically few vegetables and vegetable fats.

Release form

In any pharmacy you can find tocopherol in the form of capsules, chewable lozenges, in liquid form. Vitamin E for children in drops (oil solution) is suitable for infants from birth. Its daily allowance in milligrams is 3.0 at the age of 6 months, which is 5 drops per day. After 6 months and up to 3 years, the daily allowance should be 4.0 mg. It is necessary to give the drug to the child before feeding.

Vitamin E for children in capsules or in the form of chewable lozenges can be used from the age of 6, but only under the supervision of a specialist! Please note that many pharmacy preparations of tocopherol contain warnings in the annotations: "do not use without a doctor's prescription" or "not recommended for children under 12 (14) years old."

The doctor can prescribe the drug after the examination. It may be necessary to take blood and urine tests, since external “signals” - poor appetite or sleep, dry skin, irritability, frequent infections are indirect signs of hypovitaminosis and do not always indicate a lack of vitamin E.

The specialist must take into account a number of factors:

• individual characteristics of the child;
• full-term;
• body mass;
• the presence of anemia or genetic blood diseases;
• the presence of eye pathologies;
• features of feeding (natural, artificial);
• indicators of phosphorus-calcium metabolism in the child's body;
• the condition of the fontanelles on the baby's head - uncontrolled intake of vitamin E can lead to early closure of the fontanelles, which will have a negative impact on brain development.

Vitamins are certainly needed by children for healthy development. Here is an instruction for daily intake: vitamin E for children under one year old is needed in the amount of 0.5 mg per 1 kg of weight. In diseases - for example, with hemolytic anemia, neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, malnutrition - the dosage may be increased, but, again, only a doctor can determine it.

Attention: iron-containing preparations should not be taken together with vitamin E, as they neutralize each other. It is necessary to withstand at least 2 hours between doses.

Experts are sure that the daily need for vitamin E in an infant is fully provided by mother's milk (it is called "natural multivitamin") - of course, provided that the mother has good nutrition. High-quality milk formulas for artificial feeding are also fortified. In most cases, if your baby is healthy, it is enough to review the diet and add more healthy foods to the menu.

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Specialists of the Daughters-Sonochki online market will talk about the role of vitamins in the development of children, as well as introduce them to the range of baby food enriched with useful vitamin components.

For the expectant mother, tocopherol is indicated for administration in capsules containing 100, 200 or 400 mg of a clear yellowish oil. Only born children are offered the component exclusively in drops. How many drops of vitamin E a newborn needs depends on the characteristics of the body of a particular child. On average, the daily requirement is 3-4 IU. The dosage is minimal, which gives a reason to refuse the daily use of the supplement.

How is vitamin E administered to newborns? The instruction manual looks like this:

• it is enough to enter 1 mg of the drug per month;
• the drug is administered orally;
• given to the baby in a teaspoon with boiled water;
• taken in the morning.

Tocopherol stimulates the absorption of vitamin A, reduces the concentration of its toxicity. At the same time, vitamin E is inhibited by iron, so the drug should be taken at intervals of 2 hours from breast milk or iron-fortified formula.

How much vitamin E is needed for newborns? Reviews

Parents in their reviews do not note the positive effect of tocopherol on the child's body, since the benefits of it are the normal development of the child in the long term. An additional need for vitamin E appears only when symptoms of the disease are detected, for example, hemolytic anemia. The disease is caused by the breakdown of erythrocytes (red blood cells) as a result of a lack of tocopherol.

Vitamin E provides the baby with normal growth and development, it protects the baby's cells from toxins. In addition, vitamin E prescribed by a pediatrician allows you to:

• maintain the tone of the baby;
• avoid anemia;
• develop vision;
• strengthen the heart muscle, the walls of blood vessels;
• support nerve cells;
• improve the metabolism of proteins and carbohydrates.

The baby receives a certain part of the required dose of tocopherol through the placenta during the mother's pregnancy. Premature babies and babies with insufficient body weight are deficient in this substance, so the doctor prescribes vitamin E for them.

After several doses of vitamin E in infants, metabolism improves, weight gain and a strengthened immune system are observed.

Newborns need vitamin E for a more rational use of proteins by the body in building bone and muscle tissues. The regulation of metabolism and the removal of toxins with the help of tocopherol favorably affects the tone of the baby and its development.

The pediatrician should prescribe an additional dose of the drug after carrying out the appropriate tests. Reviews of children's doctors make it clear that vitamin E deficiency can lead to anemia, a delay in physiological development, and a general violation of the child's tone.

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The Importance of Vitamin E for Children

Vitamin E is a group of fat-soluble substances. The main goal in the body is to neutralize free radicals. Compared to other beneficial substances, vitamin E is not a very powerful antioxidant, but it has other beneficial properties involved in the development of the child's body. Science has given several names to vitamin E. 8 natural forms of this substance have also been identified. The leading groups are tocopherols and tocotrienols. They can be isolated from natural substances, and they can be obtained synthetically. Synthetically obtained vitamins on sale can be found most often and at an affordable price, but the natural component is two to four times more expensive than the synthetic one. Tocopherol can be found as an additive to some other drugs, since studies are now underway on the use of tocopherol in its pure form. Both tocopherols and tocotrienols have different properties and have different effects on the body. This means that all types of vitamin E are the same in structure, but not the same in their effect. The most active form is alpha-tocopherol.

Beneficial features

Vitamin E for children is characterized by a number of useful properties. This substance acts in the mitochondria, that is, deeper than at the cellular level. Vitamin E is a component of the cell membrane and protects it from oxidation. Also, the substance has a positive effect on red blood cells, ensuring their easy permeability through blood vessels and capillaries. This allows the erythrocytes not to stick together and not remain on the walls of blood vessels. Tocopherol is useful for relaxing vascular muscles and expanding them. It affects the proper development of a child up to a year of the nervous system, muscular system, liver and other organs. In addition to the listed properties, we note that tocopherol strengthens the immune system, protects the body from infections, improves the regenerative ability of tissues, takes part in the production of hormones, reduces body fatigue, ensures normal blood clotting, normalizes blood sugar levels. This is especially true for a child with diabetes.

Sources of Vitamin E

Children up to a year and older need vitamin E every day, since about 70% of this substance is excreted from the body every day. You can get tocopherol in the form of capsules from a pharmacy, as well as by eating certain foods. Sources are primarily vegetable oils. A significant part is found in sunflower seeds, apples, this vitamin is also in nuts. A small amount is found in milk and egg yolk, but the most vitamin-rich vegetables are spinach and broccoli. The invariable leader among products of animal origin is the liver and fillet of fish of the salmon family.

The body's need

Speaking about taking a fortified drug, it is worth noting that doctors give various tips on the use of tocopherol. Some doctors believe that children under 12 should not be given encapsulated vitamin E. They get this substance in sufficient quantities from food. However, there are dosage and instructions for use, by which you can determine whether the child receives enough tocopherol, or whether there is a need to adjust his diet by adding the necessary products. So, for children under 1 year old, the daily requirement of vitamin E is from 3 to 5 milligrams, children from 1 to 6 years old need 5–7 milligrams, and school-age children should receive 10–15 milligrams of this valuable substance. The child begins to receive tocopherol while still in the womb. About seventy percent of it is retained by the placenta, and the remaining thirty goes to the fetus. After birth, infants receive it with mother's milk, and most of all tocopherol is found in colostrum. If the child was born full-term, up to 5 milligrams per day is enough for him, if his mass is insufficient, then the dosage increases to 9 milligrams. Breastfed babies receive the substance in sufficient quantities from the mother, and children who are formula-fed should receive in fortified milk formulas. Young mothers should not independently give drugs to children under one year old, even if there is an instruction for use. The consequence of improper intake can be a severe overdose. Only a pediatrician, when examining a child, can suspect a lack of a substance, followed by confirmation by laboratory tests.

Application features

Vitamin E is prescribed for frequently ill children, since it is one of the components of the antioxidant group. The substance helps to increase immunity, to cope with the body with various stresses. Tocopherol also improves the action of other vitamins in the body, in particular A and C. Before giving a child up to a year of vitamin E, you should consult a pediatrician. Doctors advise it for increased fatigue, scleroderma, insufficient weight gain and other diseases. Usually, children under one year of age are rarely prescribed a vitamin, tk. possible overdose. The substance should not be taken together with iron preparations. Instructions for use indicate that tocopherol destroys iron, so more than eight hours should pass between taking these drugs. Note that tocopherol of natural origin is twice as active as a vitamin synthesized by the pharmaceutical industry. Therefore, it is better for children to provide a daily dose of vitamin with food than with drugs from a pharmacy. The drug should be stored in a place protected from sunlight. If vitamin E is obtained from natural products, it must be remembered that 55% of the substance is destroyed during heat treatment.

Overdose

The use of tocopherol in excess of the norm in most cases passes without tangible consequences. If the body is healthy, then the child does not feel negative sensations and the overdose passes without a trace. The vitamin is excreted from the body with feces and urine. If the overdose is prolonged, adverse reactions of the body to an increased level of the substance are possible. These reactions include: increased blood pressure, frequent bleeding, impaired coagulation. If the dosage was exceeded once, then stomach pain, nausea, and diarrhea are possible. In view of such side effects, doctors do not recommend taking this vitamin for children, they have an increased sensitivity to tocopherol, heart disease, and pathology of the coagulation system. There is no specific treatment for the diagnosis of tocopherol overdose. In order to alleviate the condition of the child, it is necessary to refuse to take the drug, and then remove the unpleasant symptoms. It may be necessary to hospitalize the child in the intensive care unit, where he will be given plasma-substituting solutions, lower blood pressure, and prescribe drugs that protect liver cells.

It is important to remember that an overdose of any drug gives a negative effect more than its deficiency.

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Vitamins d and e for babies: how to give them correctly?

Vitamin E for babies is prescribed if the baby is born prematurely. Tocopherol is additionally prescribed for weakened babies with a lack of weight.

Every mother who has given birth asks the question, but is it necessary to give vitamins to babies? Here is a very interesting thing. Vitamins are a useful thing, especially if they come to the human body from natural products. However, it is difficult for a newborn child to provide all the necessary vitamin complex. A mother who is breastfeeding must have a very balanced and good diet in order to provide her baby with everything she needs.

What about vitamin D? After all, the greatest amount of it is produced in the body under the influence of the rays of the sun. This vitamin is vital for a small organism that is actively forming and growing. First of all, small children who were born in autumn or winter, when the sun is almost never seen in the sky, suffer from a lack of vitamin D.

But make no mistake, summer kids get enough of it. Vitamin D is produced when exposed to direct sunlight, and for very young children this is a contraindication. It will be useful to take a walk before eleven o'clock in the morning or after four in the evening, otherwise the direct rays of the sun can have a detrimental effect on the child. Therefore, at the beginning of life, vitamin D for infants is a necessity.

Vitamin D deficiency in infants can cause classic D-deficient rickets. This pathology can provoke a violation of the metabolic processes of calcium and phosphorus. This problem can be observed in children as young as two or three months. And also observed in premature and children who are bottle-fed. This vitamin will provide easy absorption of calcium, which is responsible for the strengthening and growth of bone tissue. In case of deficiency of the calcium element, there is a violation in the normal functioning of the nervous system, as well as thinning and softening of the bones.

In the presence of the signs described below, parents should understand that the child begins the active development of rickets:

The kid changes his behavior drastically. Begins to cry and get frightened often;

When the child eats, there is increased sweating, which also manifests itself during sleep;

Rashes occur in the back of the head, hair begins to fall out, and due to severe itching, the child begins to constantly rub his head against the pillow.

Also, with a long lack of vitamin in a child in such a situation, muscle weakness is noted. Violation of the musculoskeletal system is manifested in the fact that the child begins to perform actions with a delay, such as turning over on his stomach, walking, etc. The child has frequent constipation and diarrhea, and the stomach enlarges. Further changes provoke various pathologies in a small child, among which the following is noted: the head increases in size, the back of the head becomes flat, a bulge of the forehead is observed, the ribs thicken, the legs are crooked, separate areas of softened bones are found, etc.

It is forbidden to give vitamins for babies on their own initiative. This requires a doctor's recommendation. The pediatrician, according to the analyzes received and after examining the child, draws conclusions and prescribes vitamin preparations.

For prophylactic use, in order to avoid rickets, a pediatrician usually prescribes taking vitamin D. For a child's body, the daily rate that determines the norm is five hundred IU, which is quite enough for a growing organism. Vitamin for babies is available in two forms - a water-based solution and an oil solution.

It is believed that, nevertheless, aqueous drops of vitamin D are absorbed by the body much better, such drugs include Aquadetrim. They are less toxic for such a small crumb. They note the greater effectiveness of vitamin D3 preparations, which stimulates the production of its own vitamin D in the body. In order to carry out prevention, the child can be given vitamin throughout all the cold months. If an increased dose, the so-called therapeutic dose, is prescribed, then after taking the vitamin for three weeks, it is necessary to maintain a pause of six days. In the event that the child is on artificial feeding, which is no exception for taking the drug, the pediatrician should set the dose after the next examination of the baby.

How to give vitamin D to a baby should also be explained by a pediatrician. If for some reason this moment was missed, the following scheme should be followed: the vitamin should be given in the afternoon, when the child eats. For babies, a drop is applied to the tongue, and for children who are already eating from a spoon, you can dilute a drop of medicine in a spoon with water.

Parents should be aware that vitamins can be dangerous if their normal dosage is not controlled. With an excess of much-needed vitamin D, calcium salts accumulate in the blood, and this leads to inevitable poisoning of the body. Some people develop sensitivity to this drug, so parents are encouraged to test their child's tolerance beforehand. With the onset of intoxication, the child has a loss of appetite, sleep disturbances, diarrhea, breathing becomes difficult, the skin becomes less elastic and the pulse becomes less frequent. If these symptoms are detected, you just need to stop giving the child a drug based on vitamin D.

The child will be healthy if the parents carefully monitor this. While growing, the baby should receive everything necessary for its full development, including vitamin D.

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Vitamin A and E for children: properties, features and instructions for the use of drops and capsules

Vitamins A and E are necessary for our body, especially children need them. Retinol (the name of vitamin A) takes part in the development of the baby even before his birth - it contributes to strong immunity, helps the placenta grow with the fetus and sets up the proper functioning of the mother's internal organs. It is produced from beta-carotene in the small intestine. Vitamin E (tocopherol) takes care of cell regeneration, helps relieve inflammation of tissues and organs. This antioxidant is good for the heart and essential for the muscles. Tocopherol is fat-soluble, its main reserves are in the adipose tissue of our body.

To understand exactly why a child needs vitamins A and E, it is worth considering their properties in more detail. In addition, we will find out which products contain enough of these substances, how to use them correctly in order to increase efficiency.

Benefits of Vitamin A

• promotes good vision;
• restores the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, stomach, intestines;
• takes part in the activation of bone growth;
• normalizes the work of digestion;
• supports immunity, reduces the likelihood of viral diseases;
• necessary as a stimulant and regulator of hormonal activity of the body.

You can maintain the right balance of vitamin A in the body if you regularly eat foods in which it is present. The list is quite long:

• vegetables: carrots, pumpkin, broccoli, sorrel, celery, tomatoes;
• fruits: oranges, tangerines, mangoes, apricots;
• dairy products: cream, milk, sour cream, cottage cheese, cheese and butter;
• liver - cod, beef, chicken, pork;
• caviar chum salmon;
• fish fat.

Important: during the heat treatment of products, almost 15% of this substance is removed from them. To enhance the digestibility of the remaining part, it is advisable to add foods rich in vitamin E to meals.

Benefits of Vitamin E

Tocopherol capsules are often prescribed to women, especially during pregnancy, but babies also need it. Along with ascorbic acid, this substance helps the body to quickly cope with viral diseases, colds. The drug is prescribed as an immunomodulating agent, and is also used as part of therapy aimed at increasing the body weight of infants, whose weight is below standard indicators.

If you exceed the norm, side effects are possible:

• nausea, vomiting;
• diarrhea;
• headache and loss of strength;
• hormonal changes;
• drop in vision.

However, with a competent approach, this substance will not cause health problems. To replenish the reserves of vitamin E in the body, without worrying about taking a capsule or tablet regularly, you can introduce the following foods into your diet:

• apricots - fresh and dried, sea buckthorn, wild rose;
• fish: herring, salmon, pike perch;
• beef and beef liver;
• nuts and legumes;
• eggs;
• milk, sour cream;
• unrefined vegetable oil;
• germinated grains of wheat or other cereals.

Like retinol, this substance is only partially resistant to heat treatment, and in the finished dish it is much less than in raw. There is even less tocopherol in products that have been stored for a long time, since it disappears under the influence of light and air.

Application rules

According to the latest research by scientists, it is very difficult for a modern child to be fully provided with vitamins, if you rely only on a balanced diet. A balanced menu at first glance can eventually lead to a deficiency of nutrients by 20 or even 30%.

It is possible to provide the child's body with the necessary amount of vitamins A and E with the help of pharmaceutical products. However, it is important to understand that children's drugs differ from "adult" dosage. The release form does not matter - you can use vitamins in drops, in the form of tablets, in capsules. Usually, the manufacturer supplies children's drugs with a special dispenser - a pipette, a measuring spoon, so measuring the right amount is easy.

When and how is it better to offer vitamins to a child, what dose can be given to a child, depending on his age? Almost any vitamins are more efficiently absorbed before 2 pm - after waking up, the metabolism is most active. If we are talking about babies, drops can be given to the child along with milk during the morning or afternoon feeding.

Vitamin A

Different manufacturers use different units of calculation - milligrams, micrograms or MO (international units). The table shows all options for the standard dose of the drug in relation to the age of the baby. However, the pediatrician may prescribe a different dosage option and a different dosage - prophylactic or therapeutic. In this case, parents are required to study the instructions for use before starting therapy.

Vitamin E

Tocopherol can be given to newborns - it is sold not only in capsules, but also in an oil solution. Up to ½ year, the dose of this drug is 5 drops (3 milligrams) once a day. Older children should already be given 4 milligrams. This portion remains relevant until the baby reaches 2-3 years. Pediatricians recommend taking this vitamin before meals.

Vitamin E for children is sometimes available as a chewable lozenge or capsule. The latter are suitable for preschoolers who can already easily swallow the capsule.

What threatens the lack of vitamins?

Vitamin deficiency or hypovitaminosis is a dangerous condition for the child's body. It occurs infrequently, but you need to be able to notice atypical manifestations of the baby's behavior and contact a specialist in time. What is missing in the child's body? What symptoms may indicate hypovitaminosis of vitamins A and E? Let's take a closer look at these signs and how to determine them.

Vitamin A deficiency

Retinol can be stored in tissues - with non-systematic intake, the body will independently adjust its balance. Sometimes the lack of this substance is so significant that the body begins to signal a problem. Vitamin A is necessary for children, you can make sure that the child does not receive enough of it by some signs:

• The baby's height and weight are below normal.
• The child is often sick, at risk are the upper respiratory tract and gastrointestinal tract.
• The skin is dry, flaky, cracks on the heels are possible. Inflamed skin areas appear on the abdomen, knees, buttocks, the baby complains of itching.

• Hair becomes dry, does not shine and falls out.
• The mucous membranes (mouth, inner surfaces of the eyelids, nasal passages) look unhealthy - erosions, abscesses appear.
• The proper functioning of the tear ducts is disrupted, a “dry eye syndrome” appears - the shine disappears, the eyes itch and bake. Frequent eye infections, particularly conjunctivitis, are possible. In early infancy, vitamin A deficiency can cost the baby vision - the cornea becomes thinner, which leads to perforation of the eyeball.

Usually, retinol is necessarily prescribed only to those children who are often sick and lag behind in development. In other cases, the recommendations of the doctor may be different.

Vitamin E deficiency

Vitamin E is mandatory for use by a child only if there is an indication. Usually, the pediatrician prescribes a series of examinations: blood tests, urine tests, which will most accurately highlight the problem. This is necessary, since external symptoms - dry skin, poor sleep and appetite, increased excitability, may indicate both a lack of this vitamin and hypovitaminosis in general.

Before giving recommendations, a good doctor will ask parents questions about the circumstances of the birth of the child - whether he was full-term, whether there were any birth complications. If there is a baby up to a year in front of him, the pediatrician will find out whether the baby is breastfed or artificially fed, and will also check the degree of maturity of the fontanel. Some drugs contribute to the rapid closure of the opening in the skull in children, which is not always desirable. In addition, important factors are:

• body weight of the child;
• the likelihood of anemia;
• genetic blood diseases;
• eye diseases;
• other individual characteristics of a small patient.

Pediatricians say that a baby is fully provided with vitamin E from mother's milk. However, a nursing woman should pay special attention to her diet - make sure that her menu is varied and balanced. Artificial mixtures are also enriched with vitamins necessary for the proper development of the baby. Usually it is only necessary to revise the nutrition of the mother and child in order to protect the baby from possible hypovitaminosis.

If the doctor decides to prescribe vitamin E, he should warn about the peculiarities of taking this drug. In particular, the medication should not be taken together with iron-containing agents, otherwise none of them will fulfill their function. It is necessary to withstand a gap of 2 hours between taking one and the other.

Is there an overage?

In rare cases, hypervitaminosis can occur, especially if vitamins are taken uncontrollably. Why is this condition dangerous and what are its characteristic features? An excess of retinol (vitamin A) can cause quite dangerous symptoms:

• hydrocephalus (an increase in the size of the skull due to the accumulation of fluid);
• swelling of the fontanel, as well as its pulsation;
• nausea, increased urination, rash and sweating.

Hypervitaminosis E is characterized by general weakness, dizziness and nausea. In addition, other symptoms are possible:

• retinal hemorrhage;
• diarrhea;
• decreased immunity;
• increased blood pressure;
• disruption of the nervous system.

As you can see, the lack of vitamins A and E is as dangerous as their excess. The question of additional medication should be decided only with the doctor. It is the specialist who will tell whether the child needs to undergo a course of treatment and what is the optimal dosage of the vitamin. Remember that good parents have a responsibility to make informed decisions about their child's health.