If your child is healthy and eats a well-balanced diet, it is likely that he doesn't require a vitamin supplement. Daily multi-vitamin supplements are ingested by 25 to 50 percent of American children, according to KeepKidsHealthy.com. If your child eats less than the minimum number of recommended servings daily on the Food Guide Pyramid, has a health condition that limits nutrient absorption, is vegan or is exclusively breast fed, he may benefit from a children's multivitamin.
Deficiency
If your child is over 6 months old and not drinking water to which fluoride has been added, she will need a fluoride supplement in order to prevent deficiency. Fluoride is important to help prevent dental caries. If you have a child under 1 year of age who is only fed cow's milk, she may be deficient in vitamin C. Vitamin C comes from fruits and vegetables. Vitamin C deficiency can cause scurvy. If your child is exclusively breast fed, she will need a supplement containing 200 IU vitamin D daily. Vitamin D deficiency causes rickets.
Warning On Excess
Over-the-counter vitamins are drugs. If taken in excess, vitamins A, D, E and K can be toxic to your child, according to Healthy Children. Mega doses of vitamin C can cause your child to experience cramps, diarrhea, nausea and headaches. Vitamins should be kept out of your child's reach.
Food Sources
It is best for your child to get her needed vitamins from a well-balanced diet. Cereals, breads, milk and some fruit juices are vitamin enriched or fortified. Fruits and vegetables provide necessary vitamins, minerals and fiber your child needs every day for good health.
Considerations
If your child has food allergies or doesn't spend time outside on sunny days, he may need a vitamin supplement. If your pediatrician recommends a vitamin supplement for your child, choose one that is suitable for your child's age group, the Mayo Clinic recommends. Look for a multivitamin that meets 100 percent of the daily value for all the vitamins it contains.
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