Nutritional Deficiencies
Supporting your child to get the nutrients they need to grow and thrive
Are you worried your child's diet isn't providing enough nutrients? Have they recently been diagnosed with low iron, vitamin D deficiency or another nutritional deficiency? Or perhaps they're such a selective eater that you're concerned they're missing out on important vitamins and minerals.
Good nutrition plays a vital role in your child's growth, development, immune system and overall health. While many children meet their nutritional needs through a balanced diet, some are at increased risk of developing nutritional deficiencies due to medical conditions, allergies, restricted diets or feeding difficulties.
At Beam Dietitians, we help families identify nutritional gaps, optimise their child's diet and create practical, achievable plans that support healthy growth and development.
Whether your child has already been diagnosed with a deficiency or you're simply looking for reassurance that they're getting everything they need, we're here to help.
What are nutritional deficiencies?
A nutritional deficiency occurs when the body doesn't receive enough of one or more nutrients to meet its needs.
These nutrients include:
Iron
Calcium
Vitamin D
Vitamin B12
Folate
Zinc
Iodine
Protein
Healthy fats
Energy (calories)
Children need these nutrients to support:
Growth
Brain development
Bone health
Muscle development
Immune function
Learning and concentration
Energy levels
When intake is consistently low, or a child has difficulty absorbing nutrients, deficiencies can develop over time.
Which children are at greater risk?
Some children are more likely to develop nutritional deficiencies than others.
This includes children who:
Eat a very limited diet
Are extremely fussy eaters
Have food allergies
Follow vegan or vegetarian diets
Have coeliac disease
Have inflammatory or gastrointestinal conditions
Experience poor growth
Have feeding difficulties
Have increased nutritional requirements due to medical conditions
Were born prematurely
Identifying these risks early can help prevent longer-term problems.
Common nutritional deficiencies
Iron deficiency
Iron is essential for healthy growth, brain development and carrying oxygen around the body.
Children with low iron may experience:
Tiredness
Pale skin
Poor concentration
Reduced appetite
Delayed development
Behavioural changes
We'll assess your child's dietary iron intake and discuss practical ways to improve it while working alongside your healthcare team if supplementation is required.
Vitamin D deficiency
Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium and is essential for healthy bones and teeth.
Many children in the UK are advised to take vitamin D supplements, particularly during the autumn and winter months.
We'll discuss whether your child is meeting current recommendations and whether supplementation may be appropriate.
Calcium deficiency
Calcium is vital for growing bones and teeth.
Children avoiding dairy due to allergies, vegan diets or other dietary restrictions may need additional support to ensure they're receiving enough calcium from alternative sources.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is mainly found in animal products.
Children following vegan diets or those with certain medical conditions may be at greater risk of deficiency if their diet isn't carefully planned.
Iodine
Iodine supports normal thyroid function and brain development.
Children avoiding dairy or fish may need careful dietary planning to ensure adequate intake.
Signs your child may have a nutritional deficiency
Many nutritional deficiencies develop gradually and can be difficult to spot.
Possible signs include:
Poor growth
Weight loss
Persistent tiredness
Pale appearance
Poor appetite
Frequent infections
Delayed development
Brittle nails
Poor concentration
Hair changes
Many of these symptoms can have other causes, which is why professional assessment is important before making significant dietary changes.
How can a paediatric dietitian help?
At Beam Dietitians, we don't simply recommend supplements.
Our priority is understanding why your child may have developed a nutritional deficiency and helping build a diet that supports long-term nutritional health.
We'll help with:
Assessing dietary intake
Identifying nutritional gaps
Supporting healthy growth
Meal planning
Food fortification
Managing restricted diets
Supporting children with allergies
Advice on supplementation where appropriate
Working alongside your GP or paediatrician if blood tests are required
Our advice is personalised, practical and based on the latest evidence.
Supplements aren't always the answer
Parents often ask whether they should simply buy a multivitamin.
The answer depends on your child's individual needs.
Some children benefit from supplements, while others can meet their nutritional requirements through dietary changes alone.
We'll help you understand:
Whether supplements are needed
Which supplements may be appropriate
How long supplementation may be required
How to improve nutrient intake through everyday foods
Any recommendations are always tailored to your child's age, medical history and nutritional assessment.
What to expect during your appointment
We'll carry out a comprehensive nutritional assessment, including:
Growth
Current diet
Medical history
Feeding behaviours
Current supplements
Blood test results (if available)
Food allergies
Gastrointestinal symptoms
Family concerns
Your goals
Following your consultation, you'll receive a personalised nutrition plan designed to help your child meet their nutritional requirements in a way that works for your family.
Why choose Beam Dietitians?
As highly specialist paediatric dietitians working within the UK's largest children's hospital, we regularly support children with nutritional deficiencies resulting from feeding difficulties, gastrointestinal conditions, allergies and restricted diets.
Families choose Beam because we offer:
Specialist NHS expertise
Evidence-based nutritional advice
Individualised assessments
Practical family-friendly strategies
Compassionate, personalised care
Online consultations available across the UK
Our aim is to help children build healthy eating habits while ensuring they receive the nutrients they need for every stage of growth and development.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I give my child a multivitamin?
Not all children need one. Some children are advised to take specific supplements, such as vitamin D, while others may need targeted supplementation based on their diet or medical condition. We'll assess your child's individual needs before making recommendations.
Can a fussy eater become deficient?
Yes. Children with very limited diets may be at increased risk of certain nutritional deficiencies, particularly if entire food groups are avoided.
Can diet alone correct nutritional deficiencies?
Sometimes. Mild deficiencies may improve through dietary changes, while more significant deficiencies often require supplements prescribed or recommended by your healthcare team alongside improvements to the diet.
Will my child need blood tests?
Not always. If we have concerns about a possible nutritional deficiency, we may recommend discussing appropriate investigations with your GP or paediatrician.
Can you help if my child has food allergies?
Absolutely. We regularly support children with food allergies to ensure dietary restrictions don't compromise growth or nutritional intake.
Giving your child the best nutritional start
Every child deserves the opportunity to grow, learn and thrive with the nutrients their body needs.
At Beam Dietitians, we'll help you understand your child's nutritional intake, identify any gaps and develop practical strategies that support healthy growth without making family life more complicated.
Whether you're looking for reassurance or support following a diagnosis, we're here to guide you every step of the way.
Book an appointment today and let us help your child build strong foundations for lifelong health.
