Rickets in Southampton...

[Longtalljosie]

Bloody hell...

Although as someone who grew up in Southampton, I think to call it "leafy" is ridiculous. It's a large city just like any other in the UK. There are nice bits and not nice bits. It's certainly not Chelsea.

But it is fairly sunny, which implies people simply aren't getting out enough.

My mum has a condition called osteomalasia, which means she needs vitamin D injections. There is a national shortage at the moment, which means my poor mum is in a lot of pain
Her doctor told her that 'apparently' so many women in burkha's need vitamin D as they don't get natural light on their bodies, that there isn't enough to go round. Bit sceptical about that

It's true that the increased popularity of full-cover clothing is partly responsible for an increase in vitamin D deficiency problems. People with darker skin colouring also struggle to absorb adequate Vitamin D from sunlight. And breastfed babies are more likely to be Vitamin D deficient if their mother has low levels, than those given formula milk which tends to be fortified. Vegan and very-low-fat diets cut out many natural Vitamin D sources. Vitamin D supplements are available over the counter (no shortage there) but injections to correct a clinical deficiency are a much higher dose

Yes, I'm sceptical about that too twirlymum - but on a related point, it would be good practice for doctors to mention vit D supplements for women who wear burkhas when they come to the surgery.

My DD is breastfed but has had vitamin drops (inc vit D) from 6 months.

was breastfed, I should say. I stopped recently

Does anybody know if sun screen lotion precludes the absorption of vitamin D? I've often wondered - particularly as our pre-school (and I think many others) insist that children are covered before arriving at school - no matter what the weather. They keep them in if you've forgotten to put it on. This goes on from May to September. Though do appreciate they need to ensure DCs don't get burnt.

yes, sun screen is one of the factors implicated. Leave it off, just for a while each day.

It's one reason (the conflict between safe sun messages and vit D messages) that this hasn't had a lot of media time.

Rickets is known to have been on the increase for a few years in major cities, plus sub-clinical levels of vit D deficiency which may have all sorts of implications for later life, including osteomalacia, osteoperosis and other chronic illnesses.

You can only get vit D from sunlight at UK latitudes from about March-Oct anyway. You only need hands/lower arms and face exposed, and only for about 15-30 mins a day to get enough sunlight to make enough vit D.

I work in public health and had to do a lot of research on this as part of my job.

Doesn't surprise me about Southampton. It has some of the most deprived areas in the country, and a lot of parks to be fair. They are doing a lot with Sure Start and with making sure there are playgrounds etc, but it is an uphill battle.

That's very helpful NIghtlark. So from November-February, all dc should be taking Vitamin D supplements in your opinion.

sorry forgot the questionmark. Do you recommend vit. D supplements for the other months?

I did wonder about the 'leafy' bit too .

Right! We're getting out now!

That is interesting. So, to put nightlark on the spot, would you recommend supplements? My DD is 9.6 and takes a general multivitamin every day. should I get her a specific vitamin D one?

Do your DD's multivitamins contain vit D anyway though? My Pregnacare conception contains vitamin D2, DD's drops contain D3. Which complicates matters - Nightlark, do you know if these are these all essentially the same thing or are there different sorts of vit D?

Good plan to check the bottle. Why didn't I think of that. It seems she is getting 100% of her DRA. I just got super concerned because she has a dreaful diet and we live in Belgium which is wetter than it is sunnier or bright.

Just talking to a friend about this a few days ago. It is apparently getting more and more common and not just in deprived or city areas.