Rickets: Why Are Newborns Dying From Vitamin D Deficiency? by Joy Stephenson-Laws JD


Rickets: Why Are Newborns Dying From Vitamin D Deficiency?

“I had not been informed of the need for infant vitamin D supplementation, or that we were at greater risk due to having dark skin, and I had no idea how catastrophic the effects of a vitamin deficiency can be.”

These are the words of Beverley Thahane, a 37-year-old mother in the U.K., who lost her 6-month-old baby, Noah, to a severe vitamin D deficiency. Due to his deficiency, baby Noah developed rickets and reportedly died of cardiac arrest. Thahane said Noah had been suffering from unexplained seizures.

“Rickets is a condition that causes children to have soft, weak bones. It usually occurs when children do not get enough vitamin D, which helps growing bones absorb important nutrients [like calcium and phosphorus],” according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

How common is rickets? This is actually not an easy question to answer, because rickets is not a reportable disease in the United States and national data are unavailable.

Baby Noah's death was completely preventable. It has been suggested that health-care professionals tell every pregnant woman to take vitamin D supplements.

Read more about vitamin D deficiency and rickets via phLabs.

The information on 30Seconds.com is for informational and entertainment purposes only, and should not be considered medical advice. The information provided through this site should not be used to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease, and is not a substitute for professional care. Always consult your personal health care provider.

Vitamin D: Why We're Lacking It & How to Get More of It!

Vitamin D: Here's a Simple Way to Get Your Daily Vitamin D Fix!

I Need More Vitamin C Than the Recommended Amounts: Here's the Surprising Reason Why!

Love Tanning? Learn What Essential Vitamin That Golden Tan May Steal From You!

Elisa Schmitz
Oh, my. I didn't know much about rickets. Thank you for this helpful info, Joy Stephenson-Laws JD !

join discussion

Please login to comment.

recommended tips

Prenatal Yoga: This “Rock the Baby" Yoga Breathing Technique Calms Mom-to-Be & Baby

Swimming During Pregnancy: 6 Reasons Why Moms-to-Be Need to Get Into the Water