CALCIUM is an essential mineral that our body needs. It helps strengthen a baby's rapidly developing bones and teeth.
Almost 99 per cent of calcium in our body is found in the bones and teeth. Hence, our bones are like a bank for depositing calcium. Calcium is also responsible for muscle, heart and nervous system development.
In our brain, calcium serves a vital role in transmitting electrical messages to the rest of the body. Unfortunately, our body is unable to produce calcium, hence we need to get it from food or supplements.
A growing foetus needs calcium as much as children do. It's especially important during organogenesis and plays a role in the formation of healthy, strong bones and teeth, besides boosting muscle, heart and nerve development.
Calcium is actively transported across the placenta, with the transfer from mother to foetus beginning by week 12 of gestation and peaking at week 36.
In view of the fact that a foetus gets most of its calcium from the pregnant mother, it's advisable to get at least 1,000 mg of extra calcium every day while you're pregnant to ensure adequate calcium supply to the foetus and to prevent maternal osteoporosis.
GROWING NEEDS
Calcium requirement varies according to children's age. Kids need more calcium as they get older to support their growing bones. Here's a recommendation from the American Association of Paediatrics (AAP):
• Babies under 6 months: 200mg per day
• Babies 6-11 months: 260mg per day
• Children 1-3 years old: 700 mg per day
• Children 4-8 years old: 1,000 mg per day
• Children 9-18 years old: 1,300 mg per day
Calcium is important for all stages of growth and development, from foetus to adulthood. However, calcium requirement is at its highest between the age of 9 and 18 during puberty. At this stage, more calcium is needed for growth spurts.
Dairy foods such as milk, cheese and yoghurt are some of the best sources of calcium.
However, don't give fresh cow's milk or goat's milk to babies younger than a year old. While flavoured milk is generally favoured by older children due to its high sugar content, it's advisable to encourage children to take plain milk.
Dark, leafy green vegetables also have calcium, but in much smaller amounts. Children who are intolerant to dairy products may get calcium from alternatives such as tofu, calcium-fortified soy drinks, green leafy vegetables like broccoli, Chinese cabbage, legumes, almonds and sesame seeds.
In addition, Vitamin D plays a vital role in calcium metabolism. Without it, calcium can't get where it needs to go to build strong bones. Vitamin D helps the body to absorb calcium.
Calcium does not work alone. A healthy diet, weight-bearing physical activity, and vitamin D are also important in developing strong bones.
Regular weight-bearing exercises, such as walking, running, jumping and playing football or basketball, may help build strong bones. And remember to supplement your children with Vitamin D to ensure efficient calcium metabolism.
*The writer is a paediatrician at Pantai Hospital Ampang (PHA).
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