Vitamins for children: are they really necessary?
Picky eating in childhood is a common concern. When a child refuses to eat vegetables, avoids fruit and seems to live on nothing but rice and bread, many carers are tempted to turn straight to children’s multivitamins. But is that really the best decision?
In this article, we explain when vitamins for children are actually recommended, based on scientific evidence, and how Correia Rosa Pharmacies can help families make more informed and safer choices.
Not all children need supplements
It is natural to want to make up for dietary imbalances with a quick fix. However, when a child follows a varied diet — including vegetables, fruit, protein, whole grains and dairy products — their nutritional needs are usually adequately met by their food.
In fact, according to the Directorate-General for Health (DGS), vitamin supplementation should only be considered in specific circumstances. Taking supplements without a prior assessment may mask dietary problems, lead to an excess of certain micronutrients and even interfere with the absorption of others.
Furthermore, some vitamins, such as A, D, E and K, are fat-soluble, which means they build up in the body. This means that, in excessive doses, they can cause toxicity, particularly in young children, whose metabolic systems are still immature.
When should you consider taking supplements?
There are, however, circumstances in which vitamin supplements can play an important role in a child’s development and wellbeing. Here are the situations in which supplementation may be recommended, always under professional supervision:
1. Children with selective or restrictive diets
When a child consistently excludes certain food groups (vegetables, fruit, meat, fish, eggs), a deficiency in essential micronutrients may occur.
Did you know that… unsupplemented vegan diets can lead to vitamin B12 deficiency, which is associated with stunted growth, megaloblastic anaemia and neurological disorders?
Other critical nutrients in these cases include iron, zinc, calcium, vitamin D and folic acid.
2. Periods of convalescence or low immunity
Following viral infections, gastroenteritis or courses of antibiotics, a child’s body may be more vulnerable and in need of nutritional support.
For example, whilst recovering from the flu, vitamin C, zinc and probiotics can help to shorten the recovery time and restore immune function.
3. Deficiencies identified in laboratory tests
Where there is laboratory confirmation of nutritional deficiencies, supplementation is not only recommended but essential to prevent complications.
Vitamin D deficiency is a good example: common in climates with less sunlight, it can impair bone mineralisation and be linked to an increased risk of respiratory infections.
In such cases, the attending doctor will prescribe the exact dose, which may vary considerably depending on the severity of the deficiency.
4. Specific clinical situations
Certain medical conditions warrant a more rigorous nutritional approach. Inflammatory bowel diseases, malabsorption syndromes, inborn errors of metabolism, or growth retardation may require personalised supplements.
Important: In children with chronic conditions or genetic syndromes, an excess of certain vitamins can be just as harmful as a deficiency — so specialist medical supervision is essential.
How do you choose the right supplement?
Not all children’s supplements are the same — and your choice should go far beyond eye-catching packaging or flavour. When choosing a vitamin supplement, it is important to consider:
- Age-appropriate dosage forms: drops for infants, syrup for young children or chewable tablets for older children.
- A balanced and safe formulation: avoid products containing excessive amounts of active ingredients, added sugars, artificial colourings or unnecessary preservatives.
- A trusted brand: choose supplements that are quality-certified, manufactured in accordance with good manufacturing practices, and ideally recommended by healthcare professionals.
Special note: It is common to consume vitamins cumulatively from fortified foods (yoghurts, cereals, drinks). Taking a multivitamin supplement on top of this can lead to an excess of certain nutrients, particularly vitamin A and iron, which may have adverse effects.
At Correia Rosa Pharmacies, we help assess a child’s actual needs, based on their eating habits, medical history and stage of development, and guide them towards safe and effective choices.
What should you do before buying children’s vitamins?
Before deciding to take supplements, it is important to take a few essential steps:
- Keep an eye on the child’s eating habits: keeping a record of the food they eat over a few days can help to identify any real gaps.
- Consult your paediatrician or nutritionist: only a professional can confirm whether supplementation is necessary and which type is most suitable.
- Seek advice from a pharmacist: pharmacists are on hand to answer your questions, suggest alternatives and ensure your child’s safety.
- Avoid self-medication: what works for one child may not be suitable for another. Remedies shared between parents, even with the best of intentions, may be unsuitable.
Did you know that… a child who drinks enriched growing-up milk, fortified children’s cereals and juices with added vitamins may already be reaching — or even exceeding — the recommended daily intakes of various micronutrients?
More than just vitamins, children need good habits
Vitamins for children should not replace a balanced, varied and colourful diet. The aim is always to promote healthy eating habits, with a focus on variety and the nutritional quality of food.
Correia Rosa Pharmacies play a vital role in this process: providing information, offering support and ensuring that any treatment — even the simplest — is carried out on the basis of technical expertise, safety and respect for each child’s individual needs.
Look after yourself – we’re here to help.
