See the separate leaflet called Sun and Health for more information. Everyone, especially children, should always be protected from the harmful effect of the sun's rays. However, there is no evidence that the normal use of sunscreen does actually cause vitamin D deficiency in real life.
These problems are related to consequent low levels of calcium. Symptoms in babiesīabies with severe vitamin D deficiency can get cramps (muscle spasms), fits (seizures) and breathing (respiratory) difficulties. The diagnosis is more easily reached in severe deficiencies with some of the classical (typical) symptoms and bone deformities.
Because symptoms of vitamin D deficiency are often very nonspecific or vague, the problem is often missed. Many people have no symptoms, or may complain of only vague ones such as tiredness or general aches. All milk is fortified with vitamin D in some countries but not in the UK. These foods include infant formula milk, most margarines and some cereals. Some foods are fortified with vitamin D (this means they have vitamin D added to them).