Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for Zinc in Children
The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for zinc in children varies by age: 2 mg/day for infants 0-6 months, 3 mg/day for infants 7-12 months, 3 mg/day for children 1-3 years, 5 mg/day for children 4-8 years, 8 mg/day for children 9-13 years, and 11 mg/day for males 14-18 years and 9 mg/day for females 14-18 years. 1
Age-Specific Zinc Requirements
Zinc requirements vary significantly across different pediatric age groups:
| Age Group | RDA for Zinc |
|---|---|
| 0-6 months | 2 mg/day |
| 7-12 months | 3 mg/day |
| 1-3 years | 3 mg/day |
| 4-8 years | 5 mg/day |
| 9-13 years (both sexes) | 8 mg/day |
| 14-18 years (males) | 11 mg/day |
| 14-18 years (females) | 9 mg/day |
These recommendations are established by the Standing Committee on the Scientific Evaluation of Dietary Reference Intakes of the Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine, National Academy of Sciences 1.
Special Considerations for Zinc Requirements
Premature Infants
Premature infants have higher zinc requirements due to:
- Reduced zinc absorptive capacity
- Higher zinc requirements for growth
- Shorter intestinal length
For premature infants receiving parenteral nutrition, a higher dosage of 400-500 μg/kg/day is recommended 1.
Children with Medical Conditions
Children with certain conditions may require additional zinc supplementation:
Acute gastroenteritis: Children 6 months to 5 years with diarrhea should receive 20 mg of elemental zinc daily for 10-14 days, while infants under 6 months should receive 10 mg daily 2
Children with malnutrition: These children show greater benefits from zinc supplementation during diarrheal episodes, with a reduction in diarrhea duration of approximately 27 hours 2
Children on parenteral nutrition: Zinc should be provided at doses of:
- 400-500 μg/kg/day in preterm infants
- 250 μg/kg/day in infants from term to 3 months
- 100 μg/kg/day for infants from 3 to 12 months
- 50 μg/kg/day in children >12 months of age (up to maximum 5 mg/day) 1
Children with high gastrointestinal fluid losses: May require significantly higher zinc intake due to increased losses 1
Monitoring Zinc Status
For children on long-term parenteral nutrition or those with conditions affecting zinc absorption or excretion, monitoring is recommended:
- Measure serum zinc levels and alkaline phosphatase periodically 1
- Monitor for signs of zinc deficiency: poor growth, delayed wound healing, skin lesions, impaired taste, and increased susceptibility to infections
- Also monitor for potential signs of excess zinc intake, which can interfere with copper absorption 3
Practical Considerations
- Zinc absorption is affected by dietary factors - phytates in whole grains, legumes, and nuts can reduce zinc bioavailability
- Animal-source foods provide zinc with higher bioavailability
- In areas with high prevalence of zinc deficiency or malnutrition, supplementation may be beneficial for children aged six months or more 4
- Current evidence does not support routine zinc supplementation in well-nourished children or in settings where children are at low risk of zinc deficiency 4
Caution
Excessive zinc intake can lead to adverse effects, particularly on iron and copper status. Zinc supplementation has been associated with decreased serum ferritin and plasma/serum copper concentration in some studies 3. Therefore, zinc supplementation should be used judiciously and according to established guidelines.