Vitamin D is a regulator of phosphorus and calcium metabolism. It contributes to the effective development of bone tissue, maintaining its density and strength. Allergy to vitamin D in infants is a pathology that is characterized by hypersensitivity of the child's immune system to certain irritants. According to doctors, in most cases, this problem occurs in children before the onset of 1 year.
It is worth noting that this is a rather rare and infrequent phenomenon that inexperienced parents may mistakenly confuse with an overdose of the drug with this substance. But a small number of children may still have intolerance to this trace element, so taking funds with this beneficial substance is contraindicated. Symptoms and causes of vitamin D allergy in infants are described below.
Why does a child need vitamin D?
According to the instructions, for newborns, vitamin D is prescribed for effectiveprevention of rickets, which is a fairly rare but dangerous disease. But it is worth noting that, contrary to known misconceptions, rickets does not mean its deficiency.
What can trigger allergies?
As noted above, many people mistake an allergic response to existing calciferol for an overdose of this microelement. The reason for an allergy to vitamin D3 is that it usually occurs if a young mother, while breastfeeding her baby, consumes mineral supplements, additionally giving them to the newborn. Also, the problem may be noted if the mother gives the child vitamin D and often takes the child outside.
Sometimes infants are given D2 instead, which comes in a lighter oil emulsion. Therefore, it is extremely difficult for parents to correctly calculate the dose of ergocalciferol for their baby. But it is worth noting that D2 is not recommended for children suffering from gastrointestinal diseases, as well as the pathological course of metabolic processes that can be caused by renal or hepatic insufficiency.
Allergy symptoms
You can find out about the presence of microelement intolerance some time after the use of vitamin D, as well as preparations that contain it in their composition. Initially, an excessive amount of this substance accumulates in the body, and then an allergic reaction develops.
Symptoms of a vitamin D allergy in infants typically appear as follows:
- rashes that look like small bubbles thatappear on the abdomen, neck, thighs and cheeks;
- increased urination;
- fever;
- itching, burning sensation;
- occurrence of vomiting;
- impaired breathing;
- dry mouth;
- insomnia, excessive nervousness;
- constipation or diarrhea, excessive bloating;
- frequent sneezing;
- acidosis - an excessive shift in acid and alkaline balance.
Key Features
If a newborn develops the following signs of allergy after taking vitamin D, you should definitely consult a doctor:
- Quincke's edema;
- hoarse crying;
- swelling of arms, legs, face;
- abnormal bone formation;
- angioedema;
- excessive weight loss;
- brain compression;
- anaphylactic shock;
- hypertension;
- asthma attack;
- fragile bones.
If a newborn's disease is accompanied by diarrhea, vomiting or profuse regurgitation, there is a risk of developing acute intoxication. Chronic allergies may be indicated by slow fusion of the fontanel, as well as impaired functioning of the kidneys, which is detected after a urinalysis.
Is vitamin D to blame?
In some cases, newborns develop an allergic response to certain components of the drug. For example, if a woman compensates for the deficiency of calciferol by regularly giving the baby "Multi-Tabs Baby",then in this case, the allergy can be provoked by the contained vitamin C, cremophor EL, and also vitamin A. In addition, anise flavoring, citric acid and phenylcarbinol can cause an allergy to vitamin D in infants.
When using Vigantol, the cause of the development of an excess of vitamin D is triglyceride fats. When using Oksidevit in a newborn child, ionol or alfacalcidol can cause allergies.
How to treat allergies?
Before prescribing a treatment regimen for vitamin D allergy in adults and children, the doctor must perform certain laboratory tests. These are urine and blood tests that will make it possible to determine the presence of immunoglobulin E. In addition, skin tests must also be performed.
In the future, the doctor will determine the severity of the allergy, and prescribe the most effective treatment therapy, taking into account the age of the child. And of course, in order to quickly rid the baby of a negative reaction, you must immediately stop taking medicines that may contain vitamin D.
Effective drugs
First of all, for an allergy to vitamin D in a newborn and an older child, they can prescribe:
- Antihistamines: Cetirizine, Suprastin, Fenistil. If the baby is more than six months old, it is also allowed to take Kestin, Ksizal, Zodak or Claritin.
- Ointments with persistent antihistamine action: Advantan, Fenistil, Elidel, Gistan, La Cree, Vundehil, Skin-Cap, Bepanten,Protopic or Desitin.
- Enterosorbents to eliminate harmful toxins: "Smecta", "Polysorb" or "Enterosgel".
- Corticosteroids, especially in the presence of angioedema.
Creams for babies should be chosen very carefully, since many contain hormonal substances. And for some children, they may not be safe. To cleanse the body of excess protein as quickly and effectively as possible, you can give the baby a cleansing enema. It is very important that only an experienced doctor prescribe medications for allergies.
What to do if you are allergic to vitamin D?
Aquadetrim, a water-based vitamin D3 solution, is often prescribed to infants from 4 weeks of age and to lactating women. If a newborn has an allergy, a mother who is breastfeeding should remove some foods that contain vitamin D from her menu. When formula-feeding, you need to choose special mixtures without a high content of calciferol.
Another rather important measure is to drink plenty of water: a baby should choose high-quality non-carbonated drinking water. Water should be boiled, clean and fresh. Do not give water from the tap, raw. It is necessary to control the drinking regimen of the baby for about 2 weeks from the moment when an allergic reaction is detected.
When all the symptoms of the described disease are eliminated, you can try, if necessary, to use other means with thisvitamin. An alternative is Devisol, or traditional fish oil, which additionally contain only alpha-tocopherol and oil.
It is highly recommended not to prescribe hormonal-type medications to newborn babies, unless there is an urgent need for it (for example, with anaphylaxis or angioedema). When the severity of the symptoms has been eliminated, further treatment should be continued with the use of non-hormonal drugs until the symptoms completely disappear.
Prevention
When a doctor prescribes a child a regular intake of vitamin D, it is better to first give him not the entire dose prescribed in the instructions, but only a small part of it. So it will be possible to check the reaction of the baby to this drug. In the absence of allergies, gradually increase the dosage.
When a child is introduced to complementary foods or fed with an adapted mixture containing vitamin D, it is recommended to use the drug according to the following scheme: the baby should receive no more than 600 IU of this trace element per day.
When choosing medicines for babies, parents should ensure that the composition contains the minimum amount of this substance. It is preferable to purchase drugs that have a very light oily, or even water base. This will make it possible to reduce the risk of an allergic response from taking calciferol.
If a child already has an allergic reaction to this microelement, then parents need to refuse itreception. And instead of drugs, it is better to spend more time walking in nature, in clean air, especially in the summer.
You should not give your child the now popular multivitamin preparations on their own, if the pediatrician has not given clear instructions. Not always the child's body needs all the substances that are available in such complexes. And the need to assimilate them can cause a negative reaction.
Final warnings
Allergy to vitamin D if it occurs, then in very rare cases, and this happens mainly with an overdose. To prevent this, you should strictly follow the recommendations of the pediatrician.
If breastfeeding is properly established, or a good mixture for artificial feeding has been selected, the child's body will receive the vitamins necessary for its full development. But still, to develop this trace element, the baby needs to be in the sun more.
Lack of vitamins of this group threatens the development of rickets - a rather dangerous disease that progresses very quickly, especially in infants. Therefore, do not delay treatment!
Parents should remember that any allergy is temporary, as the baby's immunity is constantly developing. After a while, it may disappear on its own. But if a newborn has any of the pathological symptoms described above, you should immediately visit your pediatrician, especially if the child does not get better.
Don't stand on your ownmake a diagnosis, since taking certain vitamins, not only group D, can provoke not only an allergic reaction, but also an overdose and other rather dangerous side effects.
