What are the daily recommended doses for calcium and vitamin D supplementation in a 9-year-old female?

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Dainyal Siddiqui, MD

Internal Medicine

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Manuel Jimenez, MD

Cardiology

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Franz Pierre-Louis, MD

Infectious Disease

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Last updated: May 1, 2025 • View editorial policy

From the Guidelines

For a nine-year-old female, the daily recommended dose for calcium and vitamin D supplementation is 1,300 mg of calcium and 600 IU of vitamin D, as recommended by the most recent guidelines 1. The recommended daily intake of calcium and vitamin D is crucial for bone development and growth in children and adolescents.

  • Calcium-rich foods include dairy products (milk, yogurt, cheese), fortified plant milks, leafy greens, and calcium-set tofu.
  • Vitamin D sources include sunlight exposure, fortified milk, fatty fish, and egg yolks. If supplementation is necessary, calcium supplements should be divided into smaller doses (500 mg or less) taken with meals to improve absorption.
  • Calcium carbonate is typically the most economical and contains the highest percentage of elemental calcium.
  • For vitamin D, supplements labeled as D3 (cholecalciferol) are generally preferred over D2 (ergocalciferol) for better absorption. According to the ESPGHAN Committee on Nutrition, a daily dose of 400-600 IU is recommended for children and adolescents 2. However, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends 600 IU of vitamin D for persons 9 to 18 years of age 1, which is the most recent and highest quality guideline. Adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D now helps establish peak bone mass, which can reduce the risk of osteoporosis later in life. Always consult with a healthcare provider before starting any supplement regimen.

From the Research

  • The daily recommended dose for calcium and vitamin D supplementation in a nine-year-old female is not explicitly stated in the provided studies.
  • However, according to 3, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) suggested that 600IU of vitamin D is adequate for people below age 71 who are not exposed to sunshine.
  • Additionally, 3 states that vitamin D requirements are higher during adolescence, and most clinicians consider 30 ng/mL as the minimum serum level of 25(OH)D necessary to maintain good health.
  • The study 4 found that daily supplementation with both vitamin D (daily doses of 400-800 IU) and calcium (daily doses of 1000-1200 mg) was associated with a reduced risk of fracture.

Calcium Supplementation

  • According to 5, calcium is required for normal growth and development as well as maintenance of the skeleton.
  • The study 6 mentions that calcium is the main mineral in the body, but does not provide specific recommendations for a nine-year-old female.
  • The study 4 found that combined supplementation with vitamin D and calcium (daily doses of 1000-1200 mg) was associated with a reduced risk of fracture.

Vitamin D Supplementation

  • The study 3 suggests that an additional daily intake of 1000IU of vitamin D is required for people with lighter-skin color, while those with darker complexion require a minimum of 2000IU/day to maintain serum 25(OH)D levels over 30 ng/mL.
  • The study 7 used a daily dose of 800IU of vitamin D in their experiment and found improvements in bone mineral density (BMD) in women with osteoporosis.
  • The study 4 found that daily supplementation with both vitamin D (daily doses of 400-800 IU) and calcium was associated with a reduced risk of fracture.

References

1
Guideline

acog releases practice bulletin on osteoporosis.

American family physician, 2013

3
Research

Calcium and vitamin D in human health: Hype or real?

The Journal of steroid biochemistry and molecular biology, 2018

5
Research

Calcium and vitamin D.

Novartis Foundation symposium, 2007

6
Research

Calcium, Vitamin D, and Health.

Nutrients, 2020

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Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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