How to Give Vitamin A and D to Children

Many parents ask me: “Doctor, I give my child vitamin A and D every day. Will it be too much? Can too much be dangerous?”
This is a very common question. Some parents even stop for a while, then start again. The reason we talk so much about vitamin A and D (often called “AD”) is because they are very important for a child’s growth, immune system, and bone health.

In this article, I’ll explain in a simple and warm way: why kids may lack these vitamins, how to give them safely, and what happens if there’s too much.

Why do children often lack vitamin A and D?

There are several reasons, and some are hard to avoid.

1. Low stores at birth

• Vitamin A does not pass easily from mother to baby through the placenta.
• Vitamin D can pass, but newborns only get about 60–85% of the mother’s level.
• If the mother had low vitamin levels during pregnancy, the baby will start life with low stores too.

2. Fast growth

• Babies and teens grow very fast, so their bodies need more vitamins.
• Vitamin A and D are like building blocks for the brain and bones. Without enough, growth and brain development can slow down.

3. Not enough food sources and sunlight

• Breast milk has very little vitamin D.
• Foods like liver and orange vegetables have vitamin A, but children often don’t eat enough of them.
• The main source of vitamin D is sunlight, but many children spend less time outside and often use sunscreen, which lowers vitamin D production in the skin.

4. Illness

• Some infections, diarrhea, or liver/kidney problems can lower vitamin A and D in the body.
• For example, measles and repeated respiratory infections can use up a lot of vitamin A.

5. Certain medicines

• Long-term use of some medicines (like certain seizure medicines or steroids) can reduce vitamin absorption or change how the body uses them.

How to give vitamins safely

Most doctors recommend starting early and using the “prevention dose,” which is safe and not enough to cause overdose.

Vitamin A

• Start within the first week after birth.
• From birth to 18 years: 1500–2000 IU (450–600 μg) per day.
• Preterm babies or those with low birth weight may get the higher end of this range.

Vitamin D

• Start within the first week after birth.
• 0–1 year: 400 IU (10 μg) per day.
• 1–18 years: 400–800 IU (10–20 μg) per day.
• Preterm babies: 800 IU per day for the first 3 months, then 400 IU.

Tips for parents

• Let children spend 1–2 hours outdoors daily (even indirect sunlight helps).
• Most vitamin A+D drops or tablets from the pharmacy are made for safe daily use. Follow the package or your doctor’s advice.
• Keep vitamin bottles out of children’s reach to avoid accidental overdose.

Can too much cause problems?

If you follow the daily prevention dose, overdose will not happen. But taking a very large amount at once, or too much for many days, can cause trouble.

Vitamin A overdose signs

• Acute (sudden): headache, vomiting, irritability, bulging soft spot on the head in babies.
• Chronic (long-term): poor appetite, weight loss, dry and peeling skin, hair loss, bone pain, blurry vision, liver problems.

Vitamin D overdose signs

• High calcium in the blood (nausea, vomiting, constipation, more urination, tiredness).
• In severe cases, heart, kidney, and bone health can be harmed.

What to do

• If you think your child took a large dose by mistake, stop the vitamins and go to the hospital.
• Always follow your doctor’s guidance and check vitamin levels when advised.

FAQ

1. If my child eats well, do they still need supplements?
Yes, especially for vitamin D, because food alone usually can’t meet the daily need.

2. Will vitamin A+D cause “heatiness” or make my child feel hot?
No, not at the right dose. If symptoms appear, check other causes.

3. If my child drinks formula, do they still need it?
If they drink less than 500ml of formula per day, they still need extra vitamins.

4. How long should I keep giving them?
Vitamin D is recommended for life. Vitamin A can be adjusted based on diet and checkups.

5. Do other countries also recommend this?
Yes, similar advice is given by doctors in the US, Canada, and the UK.