What is the recommended dosage of Vitamin D3 (VitD3) for a 10-year-old child?

From the Guidelines

The recommended daily vitamin D3 dosage for a 10-year-old child is 400-600 IU/day. This dosage is based on the guidelines from the ESPGHAN Committee on Nutrition, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Institute of Medicine, as stated in the study 1. The study recommends a total daily vitamin D intake of 400 IU/day for infants and 600 IU/day for children and adolescents.

Key Considerations

• The optimum vitamin D requirements for children are well established, with a recommended daily dose of 400-600 IU/day 1.
• Serum 25(OH) vitamin D concentration > 50 nmol/L indicates sufficiency, and patients with concentrations < 50 nmol/L may require additional supplementation 1.
• Prolonged daily intake up to 10,000 IU or up to serum concentrations of 25(OH)D of 240 nmol/L appears to be safe, but acute vitamin D intoxication can occur with doses much higher than 10,000 IU/day 1.

Monitoring and Supplementation

• Paediatric patients receiving long-term parenteral nutrition should be monitored periodically for vitamin D deficiency, and additional supplementation should be provided if necessary 1.
• Oral supplementation of vitamin D should be considered in patients on partial parenteral nutrition as well as during weaning from parenteral nutrition 1.

Important Notes

• Vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption and bone development, particularly important during childhood growth periods.
• Regular sun exposure can help maintain adequate vitamin D levels naturally, though this should be balanced with appropriate sun protection.
• Too much vitamin D can be harmful, so it's essential not to exceed recommended doses without medical supervision.

From the Research

Recommended Dosage of Vitamin D3 for a 10-year-old Child

• The Institute of Medicine recommends that children 1-18 years need 600 IU/d of vitamin D for maximal skeletal health 2.
• The Endocrine Society's Clinical Guidelines recommend that children 1-18 years need 600-1000 IU/d of vitamin D to prevent and treat vitamin D deficiency 2.
• The US Institute of Medicine Recommended Dietary Allowance of vitamin D is 600 IU per day for children at least 1 year of age 3.
• The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants and children receive at least 400 IU per day from diet and supplements 4, 5.
• The US Endocrine Society's Clinical Practice Guideline suggested that 600-1000 IU per day may be needed for children aged 1 year or more to maintain 25(OH)D above the optimal level of 30 ng/ml 3.

Key Considerations

• Vitamin D deficiency is defined as a 25-hydroxyvitamin D <20 ng/mL and insufficiency as 21-29 ng/mL 2, 4.
• The major sources of vitamin D are sun exposure, diet, and supplements 2.
• Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to many chronic diseases, including multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, infectious diseases, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes 2.