Nutritional supplements for children: what practitioners need to know

Specific nutritional supplements for children may be recommended based on the child’s health and nutritional status

An estimated 57.6% of adults take at least one dietary supplement per month, up from 48.4% just a decade before. This is according to information collected during 2017-18 released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHS) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in February 2021. But many children are given dietary supplements too, which creates an important area of consideration for health care practitioners who work with this demographic. One such increase during COVID in nutritional supplements for children is an increased use of vitamin D3 and zinc.

The use of nutritional supplements for children

The CDC estimates that roughly 34% of minors aged 19 and under use some type of dietary supplement. It also says that just over 7% take more than one type of supplement regularly, with multivitamin-mineral products utilized the most.

As with the supplement data provided for adults, this estimation is based on data collected from the 2017-18 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). A few newer studies dive a bit deeper into this topic, providing more information.

For example, a 2021 study looked at 4,933 children aged 6-12 and found that  nutritional supplements for children usage was higher among kids who participated in sports, and the more frequent their participation in these types of activities, the greater their likelihood of supplement use. Usage was also higher in males versus females, and in children from higher-income households or from families where mothers had higher levels of education.

This study further reported that the most common nutritional supplements for children consumed in this age range include:

• Amino acids or protein
• N-3 fatty acids or fish oil
• Probiotics
• Multivitamins
• Botanicals

A child’s supplement regimen may vary if a health condition exists. For example, one 2019 study found that 75% of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) consume a supplement. A multivitamin is most common for this demographic at 77.8%, followed by vitamin D (44.9%), omega-3s (42.5%), probiotics (36.5%), and magnesium (28.1%).

Since the pandemic, supplement usage has increased in most countries worldwide according to research published in the journal Nutrients. At the same time, at least one review reports that there is enough evidence to suggest that the quality of children’s diets has declined during this same time frame, making dietary supplements more important for filling the gap.

Importance of vitamin D and zinc for children

Certain nutrients are especially important for children’s growing bodies. Vitamin D and zinc are two.

Vitamin D helps promote the growth of strong bones. It also reduces the risk of rickets, a condition that can appear when a vitamin D deficiency exists and results in soft bones and inhibited bone development.

Zinc promotes children’s health by bolstering the immune system, making it stronger against both viruses and bacteria. Zinc also aids in the production of protein and cellular genetic materials. Both vitamin D and zinc have been found in studies to assist the immune system in avoiding COVID.

Research indicates that other nutrients beneficial to healthy growth and development in children — and, therefore, a consideration for supplementation if the child’s levels are low — include vitamins A, B9 (folic acid), B12 (cobalamin), C, and E.

Dietary supplement efficacy in children

The consensus among researchers is that more studies need to be conducted to gain a better understanding of how effective nutritional supplements for children are for improving health. Though, some more recent pieces of research have reported positive findings if certain medical conditions exist, such as:

• A 2015 study reports that docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplements appear to decrease liver and abdominal fat in children with nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLD).
• A 2017 study concluded that vitamin D helps improve outcomes for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), most notably in relation to their behavior, eye contact, and attention span.
• A 2019 study adds that probiotics appear to help reduce gastrointestinal issues in children with ASD.
• A 2015 study shares that high-dosage vitamin D3 provides benefits for children and young adults infected with HIV.

Supplement recommendations

The 2020 – 2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that infants start taking 400 international units (IUs) of vitamin D daily, “beginning soon after birth.” Because many infant formulas are fortified with this nutrient, no supplementation is recommended for children who are not breastfed in whole or in part.

The recommended intake of zinc depends on the child’s age. From birth to six months, the Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) suggests taking 2 mg per day. This amount increases to 3 mg for children aged seven months to three years. Children aged 4-8 need 5 mg of zinc per day and those aged 9-13 need 8 mg daily. Teen boys (aged 14-18) need 11 mg of zinc per day while teen girls only need 9 mg.

ODS recommendations for vitamin D are 10 mcg (400 IU) daily from birth to 12 months, and 15 mcg (600 IU) thereafter, with this amount not increasing until 71 years of age.

Other nutritional supplements for children may be recommended based on the child’s health and nutritional status. Their medical provider can help decide on a supplement regimen that provides their unique bodies the most health benefits.