Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Vitamin D and Calcium
Topic Overview
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)
increases your child's risk of
osteoporosis in two ways. Pain and swelling can cause
your child to be less active, which leads to loss of bone mass. And
long-term corticosteroid treatment for JIA also depletes bone mass.
To
minimize osteoporosis during treatment, experts recommend adequate daily intake
of vitamin D and calcium.
Foods high in calcium include dairy products such as milk,
cheese, and yogurt; calcium-fortified orange juice; and broccoli. Vitamin D is
found in dairy products. Being out in sunlight for at least 15 minutes each day
without sunscreen will also help with vitamin D intake. Your body makes vitamin
D when it's exposed to sunlight.
Food-based sources of vitamins
and minerals are better than dietary supplements, which are not as fully
absorbed by the body. If your child has little appetite for food, though, your
doctor may recommend dietary supplements.
Credits
ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer Susan C. Kim, MD - Pediatrics
Martin J. Gabica, MD - Family Medicine
E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer John Pope, MD - Pediatrics
Current as ofOctober 10, 2017
Current as of:
October 10, 2017
