2023-06-23 10:39:55
Vitamins are particularly important for children – for example, the body needs vitamin D for healthy bone development and vitamin K for normal blood clotting. Vitamins also play an important role in a number of metabolic processes and protect cells from oxidative stress.
Normally, a healthy and balanced diet is sufficient to provide children with sufficient vitamins, but the German Society for Nutrition (DGE) recommends an additional dose of vitamin K and vitamin D. Read here why this is so. There is also an overview of the recommended daily requirement of the DGE.
Which vitamins are important for children?
Although the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has strict regulations for health-related claims in advertising, positive health effects are often suggested on the dietary supplement market, which are misleading. According to the consumer center, advertised statements are sometimes not scientifically proven. According to the Health Claims Regulation (HCVO), the following advertising claims may be made for vitamins for children:
Vitamin D: “required for healthy growth and bone development”; “contributes to the normal function of the immune system in children”
In addition, the following health-related claims about nutrients are permitted for children:
Calcium, Vitamin D, Phosphorus, Protein: “required for healthy growth and bone development” DHA (an omega-3 fatty acid): “contributes to the normal development of vision in infants up to 12 months”; “Maternal DHA intake contributes to normal eye development in the fetus and breastfed infant”; “Maternal intake of DHA contributes to normal brain development in the fetus and breastfed infant” Alpha-linolenic acid and linoleic acid: “needed for healthy growth and development” Iodine: “contributes to normal growth” Iron: “contributes to normal growth” “contributes to normal cognitive development”
What additional vitamins should children and infants take?
The German Nutrition Society recommends that parents give their infants up to 12 months of age vitamin D in addition to breast milk to prevent rickets. Vitamin D supplementation should also be given to two-year-olds during the winter months. The DGE also recommends that mothers give their babies vitamin K drops to prevent bleeding. The dosage should definitely be discussed with the pediatrician. According to a statement by the Nutrition Commission of the German Society for Child and Adolescent Medicine (DGKJ e. V.) and the German Society for Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology (DGKED e. V.), from the age of two years “a general vitamin D supplementation ( …) are not recommended.” This does not apply to children with chronic diseases.
Normally, breast milk and a balanced diet are sufficient to provide the child with vitamins, but small children belong to the risk group for deficiency symptoms of the vitamins just mentioned.
Do children need vitamins as dietary supplements?
According to the consumer center, most children in Germany are sufficiently supplied with vitamins and minerals. In the case of folate, vitamin D, iron, iodine and calcium, the recommended amounts are sometimes not reached, but children usually do not need any dietary supplements. As the consumer center writes, vitamin and mineral products for children are often overdosed. In the case of the water-soluble B vitamins, it is difficult to overdose because excess is excreted in the urine. Nevertheless, caution should be exercised in the event of a folic acid overdose. The Federal Institute for Risk Research (BfR) also warns against an overdose of vitamin D.
Consequences of vitamin deficiency in children
All B vitamins are essential for many processes in the body. A deficiency in adults can lead to fatigue, gastrointestinal problems and headaches, among other things. A vitamin deficiency can have serious consequences for children and infants because they are still growing.
Since breast milk contains little vitamin D and infants are rarely exposed to direct sunlight, the DGE recommends an additional intake of vitamin D. A deficiency can lead to rickets, a disease in which the bones are not sufficiently mineralized and become deformed. According to the MSD Manual, children between the ages of 1 and 4 can develop adhesions (scoliosis and bowlegs and knock knees) due to a vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin K deficiency in newborns can cause bleeding in the brain, according to the MSD Manual.
Vitamins for children from 1 to under 4 years
The DGE gives reference values for the recommended vitamin requirements for children. Vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6, B9 and C are the recommended daily intake. All other recommendations are estimates calculated based on the healthy population. In the case of deficiency symptoms, illnesses or drug treatment, the need can increase.
Daily requirement: vitamins for children from 4 to under 7 years
Daily requirement: vitamins for children from 7 to under 10 years
Daily requirement: vitamins for children from 10 to under 13 years
Vitamins for children from 13 to under 15 years
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