‘Low vitamin D giving kids back pain and irritable mood’

‘Low vitamin D giving kids back pain and irritable mood’ 

KGMU TALK TIMES 

NEWS NETWORK  29.09.2024

Lucknow : If a child complains of back pain frequently and shows signs of irritability, it could be a deficiency of vitamin D, a growing concern among children today. Experts from KGMU’s orthopedic surgery department have reported increase in children with similar complaints, which, on investigation, revealed low vitamin D levels. This was shared by Prof Shah Waliullah during the spine conclave organised by KGMU, in which 150 delegates participated and 50 spine surgeons attended a cadaveric workshop. 

Prof Mayank Mahindra revealed that one in every four patients complaining of back pain was a child, a statistic that raises concern. He explained that causes range from vitamin Ddeficiency and sedentary lifestyles to poor posture and more serious underlying conditions. Dr G P Gupta, president of the Lucknow orthopedics asso ciation, added that among those under 20 years of age, back pain was often linked to conditions like deficiency of vitamin D. “This deficiency is critical for bone health, leading to issues such as rickets, impaired bone mineralisation, and delayed growth,” he said. 

Recent studies stress role of vitamin D in calcium absorption and bone development. “A lack of vitamin D can lead to brittle bones, making children more prone to fractures and deformities,” he added. For individuals aged 20 to 40 years, back pain is mostly due to prolonged sitting and inactivity, while for those over 40, conditions like osteoporosis become significant. Dr Waliullah pointed out that modern lifestyles, with less exposure to sunlight, are worsening vitamin D deficiency in children. “Children now spend more time indoors, limiting their exposure to natural sunlight, the main source of vitamin D,” he remarked.