Vitamin c dose for kids
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Vitamin C Dose for Kids: Insights from Recent Research
High-Dose Vitamin C Therapy in Pediatric Patients
Efficacy and Safety of High-Dose Vitamin C
Recent studies have explored the use of high-dose vitamin C therapy in pediatric patients, particularly in critically ill children. A comprehensive review of 12 studies involving 194 children who received high-dose vitamin C (ranging from 100 to 1,500 mg/kg/day) found no evidence of clinical efficacy or harm. The studies included children from neonatal age up to 8.4 years old, with a median dose of 260.5 mg/kg/day. Importantly, no adverse events were reported, suggesting that high-dose vitamin C is safe for pediatric use, although its clinical benefits remain unproven1.
Vitamin C Intake Among Schoolchildren
Dietary Sources and Consumption Patterns
A study examining the vitamin C intake of American schoolchildren revealed significant variations in consumption. Data from 1,350 children aged 7-12 and 908 adolescents aged 13-18 showed that a notable percentage of children had low vitamin C intakes. Specifically, 12% of boys and 13% of girls aged 7-12, and 14% of boys and 20% of girls aged 13-18, consumed less than 30 mg/day of vitamin C. Children with higher vitamin C intakes also had healthier diets, consuming more fruits, vegetables, and milk, and less fat and saturated fat2.
Recommendations for Adequate Intake
The study underscores the importance of promoting a diet rich in fruits and vegetables to ensure adequate vitamin C intake. Health professionals should encourage parents to include at least one serving of vitamin C-rich foods, such as citrus fruits, in their children's daily diet to meet the recommended intake levels2.
Vitamin C for Respiratory Infection Prophylaxis
Prophylactic Use in Boarding School Children
A double-blind study conducted among 641 children at a Navajo boarding school evaluated the prophylactic use of vitamin C for respiratory infections. Children were given daily supplements of either 1 or 2 grams of vitamin C or a placebo over 14 weeks. The study found that while there was no significant difference in the number of respiratory episodes between the groups, those receiving vitamin C experienced fewer days of morbidity. Specifically, younger children had 26% fewer symptomatic days, and older girls had 33% fewer symptomatic days compared to the placebo group. The symptoms most benefited by vitamin C were nasal discharge and cough3.
Conclusion
Current research indicates that high-dose vitamin C therapy is safe for children, though its clinical efficacy remains uncertain. Ensuring adequate dietary intake of vitamin C through fruits and vegetables is crucial for maintaining overall health. Additionally, vitamin C supplementation may reduce the duration of respiratory symptoms in children, particularly in specific age groups. Further studies are needed to fully understand the benefits and optimal dosing of vitamin C in pediatric populations.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Efficacy and Safety of Parenteral High-Dose Vitamin C Therapy in Pediatric Patients: A Scoping Review*
High-dose vitamin C therapy in pediatric patients showed no evidence of clinical efficacy or inferior outcomes in double-blind randomized controlled trials, with no reported harmful effects.
Systematic ReviewIntakes of vitamin C, vegetables and fruits: which schoolchildren are at risk?
Many American schoolchildren have significantly underconsumed vitamin C and total vegetables and fruits, with those with desirable intakes having healthier diets.
Observational StudyVitamin C prophylaxis in a boarding school.
Vitamin C supplements may reduce respiratory-infection episodes and symptoms in children, but their effectiveness in older children and girls remains unclear.
RCT
Large Human Trial
Highly CitedVitamin C pharmacokinetics in healthy volunteers: evidence for a recommended dietary allowance.
The current recommended daily allowance for vitamin C should be increased to 200 mg from fruits and vegetables, with safe doses below 1000 mg and no evident value above 400 mg.
Non-RCTHighly CitedLow levels of serum vitamin C in children with limb fractures: a case-control study
Children with limb fractures have lower serum vitamin C levels, especially in those aged 4 years and over.
Observational StudyEffect of Vitamin C Supplementation for Pregnant Smokers on Offspring Airway Function and Wheeze at Age 5 Years: Follow-up of a Randomized Clinical Trial.
Vitamin C supplementation for pregnant smokers is associated with improved airway function in their offspring at age 5 years and reduced wheeze occurrence.
RCT
Very Rigorous JournalIdeal vitamin C intake
Aiming for a daily intake of at least 100 mg of vitamin C is ideal for maintaining optimal biochemical function and preventing deficiency in healthy young male subjects.
Observational StudyVitamin C Pharmacokinetics in Critically Ill Patients: A Randomized Trial of Four IV Regimens
The 10 g/d dose of vitamin C is associated with supranormal plasma concentrations, increased oxalate excretion, and metabolic alkalosis in critically ill patients.
RCTHighly CitedNeuroprotective properties of vitamin C: A Scoping Review of pre-clinical and clinical studies.
Exogenous vitamin C shows potential in improving biomarkers of neuroprotection, functional outcome, and mortality in pre-clinical models, but these results have not translated to humans.
Systematic ReviewVery Rigorous JournalHarm of IV High-Dose Vitamin C Therapy in Adult Patients: A Scoping Review
There is no consistent evidence that IV high-dose vitamin C therapy is more harmful than placebo in double-blind randomized controlled trials, but reports of oxalate nephropathy, hypernatremia, glucometer error, and hemolysis in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase de
Systematic Review