KARACHI, July 23: Paediatricians in Karachi have warned parents about the increased risk to their kids of falling victims to rickets caused due to lack of adequate exposure to sunlight.

The data recently compiled at the paediatrics ward two, Civil Hospital, showed a constant increase in the number of children reporting with rickets, a manifestation of the vitamin- D deficiency.

“The affected were mainly those living in multi-storeyed buildings where sun-rays generally do not get across,” Prof Iqbal Memon told APP.

The situation has aggravated due to misconceptions as well as lack of information. Many parents, too scared of the harm the heat could do to their children, deliberately avoid their exposure to the sun, even during the period when its intensity may not be much.

“A mere 30-minute daily exposure to sunlight can definitely curtail vitamin- D deficiency,” the senior paediatrician said.

Attiring children, particularly girls, in thick clothes and keeping them unnecessarily covered is also identified as a cause preventing the body contact with sun-rays. Many parents are little informed about the alternative sources of vitamin- D, which include curd, cream, cheese, fish, egg, oil/ghee.

Here again, besides the fast shrinking purchasing power of the common man, misconceptions about certain items as fish and egg, considered not to be good to be consumed particularly during summer, often deprive children of a basic micro-nutrient.

The rule has existed for quite sometime regarding easy availability of the vitamin- D fortified oil and ghee in the market, yet it seems little implemented. According to Prof Memon, the micro-nutrient deficiency is comparatively common among local children. Despite the fact that it can be easily controlled through little care, the situation is allowed to take a serious turn at the cost of children’s health and lives.—APP