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Return of rickets 'ashaming'

England's chief medical officer has said the public should feel "profoundly ashamed" of a "very worrying picture" of children's health and called for the scheme of free vitamins to be extended to all under-fives to tackle the return of rickets.

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Call for free vitamins for children under-five

All under-fives could get free vitamins under plans being considered by the Government.

At present, only low-income families qualify for vitamins on the NHS but rising fears about the number of children developing rickets - caused by a lack of vitamin D - has prompted a rethink.

All under-fives could get free vitamins under plans being considered by the Government. Credit: PA Wire

England's chief medical officer, Professor Dame Sally Davies, has asked the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) to examine whether all children should receive drops or tablets containing vitamins A, C and D.

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