Children's vitamin d
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Children's Vitamin D: Safety, Efficacy, and Health Outcomes
Safety of High-Dose Vitamin D Supplementation in Children
High-Dose Vitamin D Safety
High-dose vitamin D supplementation in children aged 0 to 6 years has been extensively studied, and findings indicate that it is generally safe. A systematic review and meta-analysis of 32 randomized clinical trials involving 8,400 children found that daily doses up to 10,000 IU or bolus doses up to 600,000 IU did not increase the risk of serious adverse events. Clinical adverse events were rare, suggesting that high-dose vitamin D is well tolerated in young children1.
Risk of Vitamin D Toxicity
While vitamin D toxicity is rare, it can occur, particularly with manufacturing or prescription errors leading to extremely high intakes (240,000 to 4,500,000 IU). Symptoms of toxicity include severe hypercalcemia, hypercalciuria, and nephrocalcinosis. However, mild hypercalcemia and hypervitaminosis have been reported in infants with rickets even at recommended doses, indicating a need for monitoring vitamin D levels in certain cases2.
Effects of Vitamin D on Growth and Health Outcomes
Linear Growth and Stunting
The impact of vitamin D supplementation on linear growth and stunting in children under five years of age has been evaluated in numerous studies. Evidence suggests that vitamin D supplementation may result in little to no difference in linear growth or stunting compared to placebo or no intervention. However, it may slightly improve length/height-for-age z-scores (L/HAZ)3. The certainty of these findings varies, and larger, well-designed studies are needed to confirm these effects.
Health Outcomes Beyond Bone Health
Vitamin D is crucial for bone health, but its role in other health outcomes is less clear. Studies have shown that vitamin D supplementation can increase serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels, which is important for maintaining adequate vitamin D status. However, there is insufficient evidence to support vitamin D supplementation for other health benefits such as reducing the risk of infectious diseases, asthma, or neurodevelopmental issues in generally healthy children5 7.
Vitamin D Intake Recommendations
Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA)
For children aged 2 to 8 years, vitamin D intake through fortified foods can significantly increase serum 25(OH)D concentrations. A study in Canada demonstrated that children who met the EAR (400 IU/day) or RDA (600 IU/day) had higher serum 25(OH)D levels compared to those who did not4. This supports the importance of meeting dietary recommendations to maintain adequate vitamin D status, especially during periods of low sun exposure.
Prevention and Treatment of Deficiency
Preventing vitamin D deficiency involves adequate sun exposure, dietary intake, and supplementation. For infants up to 1 year, a daily supplementation of 400 IU is recommended. Beyond this age, supplementation should consider seasonal variations in sunlight and individual risk factors such as skin pigmentation and geographic location7 10. Treatment of vitamin D deficiency typically involves oral or injectable vitamin D, with dosing tailored to the severity of the deficiency and underlying health conditions6.
Conclusion
Vitamin D is essential for children's bone health and overall well-being. High-dose vitamin D supplementation is generally safe for young children, though monitoring is advised in certain cases to prevent toxicity. While vitamin D supplementation can improve serum 25(OH)D levels, its impact on growth and other health outcomes remains uncertain. Adhering to dietary recommendations and considering individual risk factors are key to preventing vitamin D deficiency in children. Further research is needed to clarify the long-term benefits and optimal dosing strategies for vitamin D supplementation in pediatric populations.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Safety of High-Dose Vitamin D Supplementation Among Children Aged 0 to 6 Years
High-dose vitamin D supplements in daily doses up to 10 000 IU/d or bolus doses up to 600 000 IU are well-tolerated and rarely associated with serious adverse events in children aged 0 to 6 years.
Meta-Analysis
Rigorous JournalVitamin D supplementation and risk of toxicity in pediatrics: a review of current literature.
Vitamin D toxicity in children is rare but life-threatening, and monitoring levels is recommended for infants receiving long-term supplementation at or above the recommended upper intake.
Systematic ReviewRigorous Journal
Highly CitedEffects of oral vitamin D supplementation on linear growth and other health outcomes among children under five years of age.
Oral vitamin D supplementation may make little to no difference in linear growth and probably makes little to no difference in stunting among children under five years of age.
Meta-Analysis
Very Rigorous JournalDietary vitamin D dose-response in healthy children 2 to 8 y of age: a 12-wk randomized controlled trial using fortified foods.
Increasing vitamin D intakes in young children through fortification of alternative dairy products leads to significantly higher serum concentrations and a greater proportion with serum 25(OH)D 50 nmol/L during minimal ultraviolet B radiation exposure.
RCTVery Rigorous JournalVitamin D intakes and health outcomes in infants and preschool children: Summary of an evidence report
Daily vitamin D supplementation in infants and young children increases serum 25(OH)D concentrations, but current evidence is insufficient to link vitamin D intake to health outcomes like asthma, eczema, infectious diseases, or rickets.
Systematic ReviewTreatment of vitamin D deficiency in children
Vitamin D deficiency in children can be effectively treated with oral or injectable administration, promoting prevention and reducing rickets.
Systematic ReviewVitamin D in European children—statement from the European Academy of Paediatrics (EAP)
European children may be vitamin D deficient, especially in high-risk groups, but routine screening for deficiency in healthy children is not justified.
Very Rigorous JournalHighly CitedVitamin D in pediatric health and disease
Vitamin D supplementation is crucial for optimal bone health in children, but pediatricians should consider lifestyle risk factors and only suggest it when rational reasons exist for its use.
Rigorous JournalStudy protocol for supplementation of single high dose Vitamin D in deficient critically ill children and assessment of their short-term outcome: An open label randomized control trial
A single high dose oral Vitamin D supplementation may improve short-term outcomes in critically ill children with Vitamin D deficiency.
RCTVitamin D in the Healthy European Paediatric Population
Vitamin D deficiency is common in healthy European infants, children, and adolescents, with risk groups including breast-fed infants, those with dark skin, and those without adequate sun exposure.
Literature ReviewVery Rigorous JournalHighly Cited