Your child needs a balance of vitamins and nutrients so that he can grow and develop properly. Vitamin A is necessary for certain body functions. It is important to understand how much your child needs and how he can safely get that amount.
Benefits
Vitamin A is necessary for vision, bone growth and cell division. It also helps to regulate the immune system. A deficiency in vitamin A can cause your child to experience a decreased bone growth, slow bone development, and hinder he ability to fight off infections. The Office of Dietary Supplements states that young children are at an increased risk of being deficient in vitamin A.
Recommended Amount and Sources
A child age one to three years of age needs 300 mcg of vitamin A a day, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements. The need increases to 400 mcg a day for children age 4 to 8, and to 600 mcg daily for children age 9 to 13. Vitamin A is found in animal food sources such as liver, eggs and milk. Carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach and fortified cereals are also sources of vitamin A.
Upper Level
Too much vitamin A can be toxic and cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, headache and blurred vision. The upper level of vitamin A is the maximum amount that is considered safe and varies with age. For the first three years of life, your child should not receive more than 600 mcg a day. From 4 to 8 years of age, the upper level is 900 mcg, and for ages 9 to 13 years the upper level is 1,700 mcg daily.
Supplements
Although most children get enough vitamins from a balanced diet and do not need supplements, your child may need one if he follows a restrictive diet such as vegan or vegetarian. If you are concerned that your child is not getting enough vitamin A in his diet, talk to his doctor about the use of an age-appropriate supplement that can help provide him with the recommended daily amount.
Member Comments