Magnesium Citrate Dosing for Children
100 mg of magnesium citrate daily is generally safe for children, but dosing should be based on age and weight rather than using a fixed adult dose.
Appropriate Dosing Guidelines
According to FDA labeling for magnesium citrate preparations 1, dosing for children should be age-specific:
- Children 6 to under 12 years: 3 to 7 fl oz (maximum 7 fl oz in 24 hours)
- Children 2 to under 6 years: 2 to 3 fl oz (maximum 3 fl oz in 24 hours)
- Children under 2 years: consult a doctor
Magnesium Requirements in Children
The European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) guidelines provide specific recommendations for magnesium intake in children 2:
- For parenteral nutrition, the recommended magnesium intake is based on age:
- Preterm infants: Higher requirements
- Term infants and children: 2-3 mg/kg/day
While these are parenteral guidelines, they provide insight into children's magnesium needs. The oral dose would need to be higher due to incomplete intestinal absorption.
Safety Considerations
Potential Risks
- A case report documented fatal hypermagnesemia in a child who received unsupervised high doses of magnesium oxide as part of megavitamin/megamineral therapy 3. This highlights the importance of appropriate dosing and medical supervision.
Monitoring
- For children on long-term magnesium supplementation, monitoring is essential:
- Check baseline serum magnesium, potassium, and renal function before starting therapy
- Follow-up serum magnesium levels should be checked 1-2 weeks after initiation
- Periodic monitoring (every 3-6 months) is recommended for long-term supplementation 4
Renal Function
- Magnesium is excreted renally, so it should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease 4
- In children with impaired renal function, magnesium supplementation could lead to hypermagnesemia
Benefits of Appropriate Magnesium Supplementation
Some studies suggest magnesium supplementation may have benefits for certain conditions in children:
- One study found that magnesium supplementation (200 mg/day for 6 months) in children with ADHD and documented magnesium deficiency showed significant decrease in hyperactivity 5
Practical Recommendations
Verify need: Ensure magnesium supplementation is necessary (documented deficiency or clinical indication)
Appropriate dosing:
- For most children, start at the lower end of the recommended range
- Adjust based on age, weight, and clinical response
Monitor for side effects:
- Gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhea is most common)
- Signs of hypermagnesemia (rare at appropriate doses)
Regular follow-up:
- Check magnesium levels periodically
- Assess for symptom improvement and side effects
Conclusion
While 100 mg of magnesium citrate daily is likely safe for most children, it's important to adjust the dose based on the child's age, weight, and clinical needs. Medical supervision is recommended, especially for long-term use or in children with underlying health conditions.