Daily Micronutrient Requirements for Children

Specific Daily Requirements

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a daily intake of 5 mg of zinc, 25 mg of vitamin C, and 400-600 IU of vitamin D for a healthy 5-year-old child 1
The tolerable upper intake level for zinc is 12 mg/day, providing a safety margin 2
The tolerable upper intake level for vitamin C is 650 mg/day for children aged 4-8 years 2
Vitamin C is involved in collagen synthesis and functions as a reversible reducing agent 1
The recommended daily intake of vitamin D is 400-600 IU per day for children, with a serum 25(OH) vitamin D concentration >50 nmol/L indicating sufficiency 3, 4
The tolerable upper intake level for vitamin D is 3,000 IU/day for children ages 4-8 years 4

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends limiting fruit juice intake to 4-6 ounces per day for children aged 4-6 years 5
Excessive juice consumption is associated with diarrhea, flatulence, abdominal distention, and tooth decay 5
Unpasteurized juice products may contain pathogens that can cause serious illnesses and should be given cautiously, if at all 5
Children should be encouraged to eat whole fruit instead to meet recommended daily fruit intake and benefit from fiber 5

There is insufficient pediatric safety data to recommend citrus bioflavonoid supplements for 5-year-old children 1, 6
Individuals should acquire daily vitamin and mineral requirements from natural food sources rather than supplements 6
Vitamin and mineral supplementation in pharmacological dosages should be viewed as therapeutic intervention requiring safety and efficacy demonstration 6
Whole foods should be the primary source of micronutrients rather than supplements 6, 5
Supplementation with a multivitamin preparation may be advisable only in select groups such as children on calorie-restricted diets 6
Megadoses of vitamin and mineral supplements carry potential toxicity risks 6