Vitamin C Supplementation for Children with Malnutrition

Recommended Dosage

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a dosage of 15-25 mg/kg/day of vitamin C for children with malnutrition to prevent deficiency and aid in nutritional recovery 1, 2, 3
For premature infants and infants up to 12 months old who receive parenteral nutrition, the recommended dosage is 15-25 mg/kg/day 1, 2
For older children, the recommended dosage is 80 mg/day 1, 2
For children with severe malnutrition or symptoms of vitamin C deficiency, higher therapeutic doses may be required 4, 5

Children with malnutrition are at higher risk of developing micronutrient deficiencies, including vitamin C deficiency 4, 5
Complete or near-complete vitamin C deficiency associated with severe malnutrition can cause scurvy, although this condition is rare in modern societies 1, 2
Inflammatory diseases increase the need for vitamin C to maintain normal serum concentrations 1, 2

Vitamin C acts as a cofactor for many enzymes and is a powerful antioxidant 1, 2
It helps with iron absorption, which is essential for preventing anemia in children with malnutrition 4, 5

Vitamin C can be administered orally through supplements or food rich in vitamin C 4, 5
For cases of severe malnutrition with complications, parenteral administration may be considered 1, 2
Administering vitamin C with food can enhance iron absorption 4, 5

High doses of vitamin C (>2 g/day) can cause gastrointestinal disturbances
In children with malnutrition, vitamin C supplementation should be accompanied by overall nutritional improvement 4, 5

Vitamin C supplementation should be continued until the child's nutritional status improves and their diet provides sufficient vitamin C 4, 5