What is the normal vitamin C (Vit C) supplement dose for children?

Normal Vitamin C Supplement Dosing for Children

For healthy children, vitamin C supplementation is generally unnecessary if they consume adequate fruits and vegetables, but when supplementation is indicated, the dose is 80 mg/day for children over 12 months of age, and 15-25 mg/kg/day for infants under 12 months. 1, 2

Age-Based Dosing Recommendations

Infants (Birth to 12 Months)

• Preterm and term infants require 15-25 mg/kg/day of vitamin C 1, 2
• This weight-based dosing accounts for their higher metabolic needs relative to body size 2
• For infants on parenteral nutrition, this same dose applies 1, 3

Children Over 12 Months

• Older children should receive 80 mg/day 1, 2
• This represents a fixed dose rather than weight-based dosing 1

Age-Specific Graduated Dosing (Alternative Framework)

• Children ages 1-15 years: 20-85 mg/day (increasing with age) 4
• Adolescents 15-19 years: 90-105 mg/day 4
• These recommendations from German/Austrian/Swiss nutrition societies provide more granular age-based guidance 4

Clinical Context for Supplementation

When Supplementation Is Indicated

• Children with malnutrition are at higher risk of vitamin C deficiency and require supplementation 2
• Children on calorie-restricted diets may benefit from multivitamin preparations containing vitamin C 5
• Children with inflammatory diseases have increased vitamin C requirements 2
• Children unable to consume adequate fruits and vegetables 5

When Supplementation Is NOT Needed

• Healthy children consuming 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily obtain sufficient vitamin C from diet alone 5, 6
• Whole foods should be the primary source of micronutrients rather than supplements 5
• A healthy 5-year-old requires only 25 mg/day from dietary sources 5

Safety Considerations

Maximum Safe Doses

• The tolerable upper intake level for children ages 4-8 years is 650 mg/day 5
• Doses exceeding 2 g/day can cause gastrointestinal disturbances 2
• Megadoses carry potential toxicity risks and should be avoided 5

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Never use adult multivitamin formulations in infants or young children due to potential toxicity 3
• Avoid viewing routine supplementation as necessary for all children—it should be targeted to those with specific needs 5
• Do not rely on supplements when dietary modification can meet requirements 5, 6

Special Populations Requiring Higher Doses

Severe Malnutrition or Deficiency

• Children with severe malnutrition or symptoms of vitamin C deficiency may require higher therapeutic doses beyond the standard recommendations 2
• Complete deficiency can cause scurvy, though this is rare in modern societies 2
• Supplementation should continue until nutritional status improves and diet provides sufficient vitamin C 2

Children on Parenteral Nutrition

• Daily administration is recommended when on parenteral nutrition 1, 3
• Vitamin C should be added to lipid emulsions when possible for stability 3
• Routine monitoring of vitamin C concentrations is not recommended unless on long-term parenteral nutrition (weeks) 1

Administration Guidance

• Oral supplementation through vitamin drops or tablets is the standard route for healthy children 2
• Administering vitamin C with food enhances iron absorption, which is particularly beneficial for children with malnutrition 2
• Parenteral administration should be reserved for severe malnutrition with complications 2

Evidence Quality Note

The strongest guideline evidence comes from the ESPGHAN/ESPEN/ESPR/CSPEN 2018 pediatric parenteral nutrition guidelines, which provide specific dosing recommendations based on expert consensus 1. While these are primarily for parenteral nutrition, they represent the most authoritative pediatric vitamin C dosing available. The recommendations are largely based on expert opinion (GPP) rather than high-quality trials, reflecting the ethical challenges of conducting vitamin deficiency studies in children 1.