A 3 year old child is admitted to the hospital for a severe case of measles, but on physical examination it is found that he has rickets, characterized by bowed legs. Diet and social history indicates his mother relies on apple juice for the child's beverage only. Due to the mother's work schedule and fear of violence in the neighborhood, the child only plays indoors. What vitamin is the child deficient in? Why is not playing outside an issue? What foods and beverage should the mother be offering her child?

vitamin D

Explanation:

The child is deficient in vitamin D. This is one of the main causes of bowed legs in children since vitamin D allows our bodies to keep our bones, teeth, and muscles healthy. We can get all of the vitamin D we need from the sun hitting our skin, which absorbs vitamin D. Since the child in this scenario is not allowed to play outside they have accumulated a vitamin D deficiency. Instead of drinking apple juice the child should be drinking Orange Juice which is a great vitamin D supplement.