It is essential for the normal development .of red blood cells and deficiencies of this vitamin are most likely to occur in pregnancy when the requirements are increased. This is why most pregnant women are given folic acid supplements, often in a combined pill with the extra iron usually needed in pregnancy. This is contained in fresh fruit, especially oranges and lemons, green vegetables and new potatoes which have not been stored for long periods. As it is water-soluble there can be considerable vitamin C losses in cooking. It is important for the formation and integrity of connective tissue.
Deficiencies can occur if the diet is inadequate as in the elderly.
Children who don t eat enough fruit and vegetables sometimes need extra vitamin C available in fruit juices and syrups or in vitamin C supplements. Deficiency of the vitamin can lead to poor growth in children, general weakness and irritability, and delayed healing of wounds and fractures. Prolonged vitamin C deficiency causes scurvy, a disease characterized by anemia, swollen, bleeding, inflamed gums, generalized bruising and bleeding into muscles, bones and joints. Vitamin D is important for the absorption of calcium from the bowel and for the deposition of calcium in bone. If this vitamin is deficient in children the disease called rickets results and this is characterized by softening of the bones and causes deformities such as bowlegs, narrowing of the pelvis and excessive curvature of the spine.