Health effects when children are deficient in chromium (Cr)

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Nguyen Minh Tuan - Pediatrician - Pediatrics - Neonatology Department, Vinmec Danang International General Hospital.

Chromium is a trace mineral that plays an essential role in the human body. Children with chromium deficiency often lose self-control, are easily angered, anxious, eyeballs protrude, eyes will increase myopia faster. Therefore, it is necessary to detect children lacking micronutrients early so that they can be supplemented in time, ensuring their bodies are always healthy.

Chromium is a trace element that plays an essential role in the transport of blood sugar (glucose) from blood vessels to cells, helping to control blood sugar levels, especially for people with type 2 diabetes.
Chromium also has an important meaning in the development of children. With each age, the need for chromium in the child's body will be different. The following are the recommended chromium levels for infants and children:
Children under 6 months: 0.2 mcg daily Children 7 to 12 months: 5.5 mcg daily Children 1 to 3 years : 11 mcg per day Children 4 to 8 years old: 15 mcg per day

Children lack chromium, affecting the body's activities, poor health, affecting physical and mental development. Symptoms when children are deficient in chromium include:
Easily worried and agitated: When children are deficient in chromium, parents may notice that their children are often anxious or easily affected by something. When the child is active, the heart also beats faster and stronger. This happens because chromium levels in the blood decrease, leading to a decrease in the body's ability to manage anxiety. As a result, the child's body will go into active mode even with very small stimuli, keeping the child in a state of high alert. Sudden drop in energy: This is another sign that your child is deficient in chromium. Despite getting enough sleep, children still appear tired and weak. If this condition persists for a long time, it can be a cause for concern, and it is important to take your child to the doctor as soon as possible. High blood sugar: Chromium plays an important role in transporting glucose from blood vessels to cells, helping to control blood sugar levels. If children are often tired, worry too much (chronic progression), the risk of diabetes will be very high, which needs immediate attention. Muscle weakness and slow growth: Children with micronutrient deficiencies often grow more slowly than their peers, are often anxious, tired, and have muscle weakness. Mood swings: Children with chromium deficiency are often prone to mood swings, loss of self-control, emotions, and anger. Risk of myopia: When there is a lack of chromium, the child's eyeball will often protrude, causing the eye to increase myopia faster.

3.1. Adding chromium through food When realizing that the child's body has signs of chromium deficiency, parents should first supplement it with a nutritious diet so that the child's body has the necessary amount of vitamins and minerals. Some foods rich in chromium include:
Meat, chicken and seafood Egg yolks Whole grains, such as oats, flaxseeds and chia seeds Rice, bread Fruits and juices of all kinds, such as: grapes, apples, oranges and pineapples Root vegetables, such as spinach, broccoli, garlic and tomatoes Legumes, soybeans and corn. In addition to being supplemented with chromium, children also need more lysine, micro-minerals and essential vitamins such as zinc, chromium, selenium, and B vitamins to help fully meet their nutritional needs, aid digestion, and increase growth. Enhance the ability to absorb nutrients, help improve anorexia, help children eat well. To ensure the use of complementary products for children, there should be guidance from a doctor on health status and dosage.
For more nutritional knowledge and child care for each age, parents should regularly visit the website vimec.com and make an appointment with the leading doctors, pediatric and nutrition experts of the National General Hospital. Vinmec when needing advice on children's health.