Newspaper blames veganism for increase in rickets in UK

[Fiona]

http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/health/story.jsp?story=457639

See above link for an article blaming the vegan diet (amongst other factors) for an increase in cases of rickets in the UK. The Independent is supposed to be a 'worthy' newspaper, so this piece is very disappointing. Even the comment at the end from the Vegan Society sounded pretty weak.

Fiona

[Erin Pavlina]

That is so appalling! Soy milk contains vitamin D in the same quantities as cow's milk (at least the enriched kind anyway)

And it doesn't mention if ALL the kids who are suffering from rickets are on vegan diets or not. Poor reporting there.

You're right the Vegan Society comment was weak. But they were probably asked a really general question and gave a general answer. I'm sure they were not shown the rest of the article when they were asked for their comment.

Also, Silva Swinton was not on a vegan diet. I spoke to Silva Swinton on the phone three times and thoroughly discussed her situation. She made some terrible mistakes that had nothing to do with veganism. It's a shame they blame veganism though...

[Dancer]

Curious as to where Silva Swinton went wrong with her child. What caused the malnutrition and rickets? As far as that article is concerned it is poor journalism---someone did NOT do their homework thoroughly.

Interestingly, the scores and scores of vegan children raised 'round the globe successfully for many decades were not mentioned. I think it interesting that this has happened in a discreet pocket (one country) and answers should be looked for accordingly.

Many physicians here in the US have long since advocated for less sunscreen so that our children can have a LIMITED exposure to the sun and its D vitamins.

Dancer

[Erin Pavlina]

Let me tell you guys the Silva Swinton story, as briefly as I can.

Silva called me a year and a half ago and asked if I could help her with her legal defense. I was surprised she'd contacted me. Before I took sides, I needed to know exactly what happened because it sounded from the papers that she did a horrible thing. What she told me was the following:

She had an unassisted homebirth. Only she and her hubby were present.

She did not seek any medical care for herself or her daughter after her birth. Nor did she register her child with the proper authorities. (this looked suspicious later)

She did not feed her baby formula or breastmilk. She didn't know babies needed formula or breastmilk. Instead, she fed the child a soy concoction she created herself that she thought would be healthy and nutritious. (big mistake)

The child did not gain weight adequately and was extremely small for her age. Silva's family became very concerned about the child and asked her to consult with a doctor. Silva refused as she said it went against her religious beliefs.

The child's health continued to deteriorate. The family became concerned for the life of the child and called Social Services. Social Services removed the child from her home pending an investigation.

Silva made two mistakes... not feeding her baby breastmilk or formula. And "hiding" her child from authorities, which made her look very guilty in the "negligence" department.

Silva's husband was mentally impaired, I believe his IQ was registered at below 80 or 60 or something, so the bulk of the blame was put on Silva, who was educated at the Master's degree level. She should have known that this soy concoction was not adequate nutrition. Poor woman.

What I object to was the fact that they removed the child, vaccinated her, fed her meat, etc, and the kid ended up in the hospital with a life threatening reaction from the vaccine.

I also object to the criminal negligence charge. I feel that the parents should have gotten counseling and training on how to raise children and given their child back.

Silva became pregnant with a second child while her court case was going on. Social Services removed that child at birth! I think that sucks since Silva was willing to do anything to keep her child, even if she had to feed the child meat or eggs or milk to do it.

Today both Silva and her husband are serving time in prison. It's unfortunate and sad what happened. Although she did indeed make mistakes that were negligent, I felt this was from ignorance, not from intent. Educating her would have been merciful.

I sent Silva to PCRM who testified on her behalf, and also to Brenda Davis, RD who counseled Silva on proper nutrition for a child.

Silva was never interviewed for any story that came out about her. She was closer to being raw than being vegan. She doesn't know where they got the "vegan" idea, but once it was reported, all the other news people grabbed ahold of that and ran with it. Bad reporting.

[annie7]

What ever happened to the child with the life threatening illness? Or both of her children , for that matter?

[Erin Pavlina]

Both of her kids were put in foster care, where they are now eating meat and are happily vaccinated.

The first child, I wanted to mention, was premature! She should have had the child seen by a doctor. The child was born with medical problems and I think it was indeed neglectful of the parents to ignore them. They were doing the best they could, though. Again, it was a case of massive ignorance, but not evil intent.

[annie7]

*sigh*