Some Kids Have sickle-Shaped Blood Cells

Children with SCD have Sickle or Crescent-shaped Blood Cells

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) or Sickle Cell Anemia is a genetic red blood cell disorder in which the blood cells have a sickle or crescent shape. Patients with SCD are often targets of pain, fatigue and infections. SCD is associated with low calcium intake, vitamin D deficiency and poor appetite which can cause delayed growth and development in children.

Children who drink milk may get enough calcium levels but this is not enough. Calcium can aid in building strong bones only when the child’s vitamin D levels are sufficient. Most of the SCD patients have vitamin D deficiency because of their dark skin, absence of dairy intake and reduced sun exposure. When these patients spend some time out in the sun, eat more dairy and drink enough milk, they can get better.

Poor bone density, pain, fractures and muscle weakness are common in SCD patients and vitamin D supplementation for over a period of 6 months can ease pain to an extent. Every person needs a different dose of supplementation and the health care provider is the right person to prescribe accurate dosages required by the body.

Apart from calcium and vitamin D, other nutrients are also essential for total well-being. Physicians are the right persons to guide you after assessing your body. The tips given below can help to fulfill your child’s nutrient requirements:
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• Practice healthy eating together as a family so that your child does not feel left out drinking milk while the rest of the family drinks soda.
• Eat rainbow-colored fruits and vegetables paired with grains, proteins (such as eggs, fish, chicken, lean meat, beans and tofu), nuts and low-fat dairy.
• Eat calcium-packed foods such as low-fat or fat-free milk, yogurt, cheese and leafy green vegetables and calcium-fortified foods such as soymilk, orange juice and tofu.
• Children with reduced appetite can be fed with high-calorie foods such as nuts, dried fruits, nut butters and smoothies
• Fulfilling vitamin D requirements only through foods such as eggs, fortified milk and yogurt along with sun exposure is impossible. It is better to speak to your health-care provider regarding vitamin D supplementations.
• Stay hydrated with water to avoid constipation
• Choose milk or calcium-fortified orange juice instead of sugar-sweetened drinks to provide better nutrition.

Though these tips sound to be easy, they are not so easy to practice. Families don’t get enough time to sit and prepare healthy meals when they have a SCD-affected kid. Also, if they do prepare, they don’t feel like eating.

Work with a registered dietitian nutritionist at www.firsteatright.com to understand your child’s unique nutritional needs and plan quick and healthy meals that work good for the entire family.