LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – Summer is almost here. While we need to be careful about sun exposure, Pediatrician Henderson explains why getting outside and getting some vitamin D is so important for children and young people.
Dr. Carrie Wigensinghe of Siena Pediatrics in Henderson said children who don’t get enough vitamin D can suffer from depression. She’s seen it have a huge impact on teens during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This vitamin plays a huge role in mental health,” she said.
If you’re not sure what your child’s vitamin D level is, ask your pediatrician for a blood test.
“It’s very important to make sure our levels are 30. It’s a blood test that a pediatrician can order. Especially when we find children who have depression or mild mood disorders, blood The test is starting to become a routine blood test for me,” Dr. Wijensinghe said.
One hour of exercise a day and vitamin D intake should be the norm for children. She added that it not only helps with motor coordination, but also creativity and thinking, an important skill, which can also alleviate other problems children face.
“When it comes to myopia, we’ve often seen kids using cell phones and playing video games, and the rates of nearsightedness and nearsightedness in kids are increasing,” she said. .
For infants, consider walking them as early as a few weeks after birth. Spend some tummy time in your backyard or at the park. For toddlers or preschoolers, set up a play date and head out to the local park. Encourage your tweens and teens to participate in outdoor physical activity, too.
Sunscreen is very important, so don’t forget. Apply sunscreen to children over 6 months old and keep infants under 6 months in the shade to protect their skin.
