Folic acid for children: instructions for use, dosage

Folic acid (the second name is vitamin B9) is absolutely necessary for every living organism. Its deficiency can strongly affect human health. It is very important to track its content in the body. This is especially true for young children.

general information

Before talking about the methods of application and dosage, it is important to understand what folic acid is used for children. There are several advantages:

1. After applying the drug, the blood begins to circulate several times better. This prevents the risk of anemia at an early age.

2. A useful microflora is created in the intestine, which protects this organ from various diseases.

3. Improves the work of the bone marrow.

Folic acid is necessary for children to strengthen the body, restore immunity and protect against the penetration of bacteria. Therefore, it is very important to start taking it the sooner, the better. This is what doctors say.

Admission of folic acid during pregnancy planning

Fortunately, most women responsibly approach to such a question as family planning. Before conception, a conscious patient is enrolled in a polyclinic, undergoes an examination and gives all the necessary tests. For each future parent (both mother and father) three months before the expected onset of pregnancy, doctors are urged to drink folic acid in two tablets (400 μg) twice a day.

First of all, the drug is necessary to maintain a normal level of hemoglobin in the blood. Many couples can not conceive a child for a long time because of its insufficiency. In folic acid there is an important derivative - tetrahydrofolate. Getting into the body of a man or a woman, she begins to secrete biochemical enzymes. As a result, the partner's body is better prepared for the conception process. The future father becomes faster and better sperm, the future mother is more effective is the process of ovulation. Thus, couples planning pregnancy, you need to consume folic acid. First, for successful conception of the baby. Secondly, for the full development of the fetus.

Taking Folic Acid During Pregnancy

If the conception and attachment of the embryo to the uterine cavity has been successful, then the medical specialists recommend vitamin B9 throughout the first trimester. It is necessary in the body of a future mother in order to prevent the development of various defects of the neural tube, namely, splitting of the spine, dropsy and hernia of the brain. Because of the lack of folic acid, various unpleasant things can appear: placental abruption, disruption of its formation and other defects that can lead to miscarriage and premature birth. Be sure to remember this.

The importance of vitamin B9 for children under 1 year old

Folic acid for children under 12 months is not needed. It is prescribed by a pediatrician only with the following symptoms:

• If the child was born prematurely, that is, before the 37th week of pregnancy. This drug allows him to quickly catch up with his peers.
• If the baby is not gaining weight badly. According to experts, for the first 12 months of life, it should grow more than 2 times compared with its original parameters.
• If the baby has problems with the functioning of the intestine. For example, when he often has constipation or diarrhea.

In rare cases, vitamin B9 is prescribed as additional vitamins. This applies to newborns on artificial feeding. Babies, who are breastfed, usually have enough vitamins.

The importance of vitamin B9 for boys and girls aged 1.5 to 7 years

Folic acid is necessary for children and at the time when they begin to attend kindergarten. Being in a large team often leads to the development of viral diseases. This drug produces in the body immune bodies that do not perceive childhood infections. In some cases, this vitamin is prescribed by a psychologist if the child does not adapt well in the environment.

The importance of vitamin B9 for children older than 7 years

Vitamin B9 should also be taken to school children. American scientists have proved that it several times improves intellectual activity and allows you to concentrate. In addition, this drug prevents the development of fatigue, which can arise from an unusual training load.

Dosage for small children

The lack of folic acid provokes a huge number of diseases. However, its overabundance will not lead to anything good. Therefore, it is very important to follow the dosage of folic acid for children:

• The smallest amount of the drug is 25 μg. It is this amount of vitamin sufficient for infants in the first six months of life.
• From the 6 months of its number can be increased to 35 mcg.
• Children from 1 year - not more than 50 mcg.

That's not all. Further, the daily intake of folic acid is increased by 25 units every three years. That is, if the baby is 3 years old, then he needs 75 μg of vitamin, 6 years - 100 μg, 9 years - 125 μg. The maximum daily norm is 200 mcg. That's enough for children from 14 years and older.

How correctly to accept?

Fortunately, there is a fairly simple instruction on the use of folic acid for children:

1. First of all, pay attention to the dosage of one tablet. It can be equal to 400 mcg or 1 mg.
2. From it you need to separate the required amount, depending on the age of the child.
3. Then, carefully crush this particle in such a way that a fine powder is obtained.
4. It remains only to dilute it with water and give a drink to the child.

It should be noted that the intake of this vitamin does not depend on the use of food and other medicines. It has a neutral taste. Therefore, there is no need to drink it with water.

How to take the smallest dosage correctly?

Still, some people may have difficulty with the instruction of folic acid for children. For example, if you need from 1 mg to separate a particle equal to 25 mcg (for a newborn baby). To achieve this result, you need to do the following:

1. Divide the tablet into 4 equal parts.
2. One of them should be crushed into a powder and diluted with 5 teaspoons of boiled water.
3. 2.5 ml of this solution (half a teaspoon) just the same will contain 25 mcg of folic acid.

In the same way, the medicine is given to older children. One teaspoon is equivalent to 50 mcg, and 2 teaspoons - to 100 mcg.

The course of treatment with this drug should be from two weeks to 30 days. The daily rate, if desired, can be divided by 2-3 times.

Additionally

Folic acid can be given to children not only in the form of a medicine, but also through regular foods. For example, it is found in chicken, cabbage, cottage cheese, cheese, practically in all types of nuts and greens. It is desirable that they are preferred by the pregnant woman and mother breastfeeding. This will reduce the risk of serious diseases.

Finally

Vitamin B9 is indispensable for every citizen from an early age. Its lack of a negative way can affect the health of a person and his appearance (often hair begins to fall out, nails break, pimples appear). Therefore, experts recommend the use of folic acid for children and adults for prevention, at least once every three years. It is worth noting that the drug can be purchased at an affordable price. One package, in which 30 tablets, costs about 100 rubles.