Vitamin supplements for children are an area full of misinformation — from paediatric panic to aggressive marketing. Here is what the Romanian Society of Paediatrics and the World Health Organization actually recommend, by age and clinical situation.
The basic principle — food first, supplements second
A healthy child with a varied diet (dairy, meat, fish 1-2 times a week, fruit, vegetables) does NOT need any daily supplement apart from vitamin D. Any other supplement is an “extra” with a precise clinical role: a documented deficiency, a dietary restriction (vegetarian, vegan, allergies), a period of rapid growth, a chronic illness.
“Routine” supplementation — colourful daily multivitamins with no demonstrated deficiency — is pointless and, in excess, can cause problems (vitamin A, iron, zinc in high doses).
Vitamin D3 — a must in Romania
Romania lies at a northern latitude, and insufficient sun exposure (too wrapped up in winter, too protected with SPF in summer) makes adequate synthesis of vitamin D in the skin impossible. All paediatric societies worldwide recommend supplementation:
- 0-12 months: 400 IU/day — DAILY, starting in the first week of life, whether breastfed or formula-fed.
- 1-3 years: 600 IU/day in the cold season (October-March).
- 3-10 years: 600-1000 IU/day in winter, 400-600 IU/day in summer.
- 10-18 years: 600-1000 IU/day, all year round.
Available forms: Vigantoletten, Vigantol Oil, Davitamon D3, Luxfarm D3. Check the prices with the HartaFarmacii search or in the Vitamins category.
Omega-3 (DHA) — for the brain and eyesight
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is essential for the development of the brain and the retina. If your child eats oily fish (salmon, mackerel, sardines) 2-3 times a week, you do not need to supplement. If not — supplementation is useful.
- 0-2 years: 100-200 mg DHA/day (usually from formula milk).
- 2-6 years: 150-250 mg DHA/day.
- 6-12 years: 250-500 mg DHA/day.
Good forms: Möller's fish oil for children, Omegor Kids, Zdrovit Omega 3 Junior. Check the exact EPA+DHA content per serving — the figure on the front may be “total oil”.
Iron — only with a documented deficiency
Iron-deficiency anaemia is common in infants (fed only on milk after 6 months), young children on diets low in meat, and adolescent girls after their first period. Do NOT give iron as a preventive measure — it can cause digestive problems (constipation, abdominal pain) and, in excess, liver toxicity.
The diagnosis is made with a full blood count + ferritin. If ferritin is below 15-20 ng/mL, the paediatrician will prescribe iron (Ferro-Folgamma Junior, Sideral Folico, Hemofer). Given for 3-6 months, with reassessment.
Vitamin C — supplementation unnecessary in most cases
A child who eats 2 oranges, 1 kiwi fruit or 1 portion of broccoli a day has 100% of the daily requirement covered. Massive supplementation (500-1000 mg daily) does not prevent colds — studies do not support this myth. During an active cold, 200-400 mg a day for 5-7 days may shorten it by 1 day.
Zinc — useful during a cold, not daily
Zinc given within the first 24 hours of a cold starting may shorten the symptoms by 1-2 days. Typical doses: 10-15 mg daily, for 5-7 days. Preparations: Zincum Plus, Zdrovit Zinc. Daily preventive supplementation is pointless and may interfere with the absorption of iron and copper.
Multivitamins — useful in specific situations
Complete multivitamins only make sense if:
- The child has a very selective diet (only 2-3 different foods).
- They are vegetarian/vegan — then pay special attention to B12, iron, iodine and calcium.
- They are recovering from an illness with a prolonged loss of appetite.
- You have paediatric confirmation of multiple deficiencies.
Trusted preparations: Centrum Junior, Cerebrum Kids, Vitateen, Supradyn Kids. Do NOT exceed the recommended dose — more is not better with fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K).
Rules for giving them
- Vitamin D — with a meal that contains fat (it is fat-soluble).
- Iron — on an empty stomach, with orange juice (vitamin C increases absorption), away from milk and cereals (phytates block it).
- Omega-3 — with a meal.
- Multivitamins — in the morning, with breakfast.
Common mistakes in giving them
- Vitamin D with tea or water — poor absorption. Give it with a breakfast that contains butter, full-fat yoghurt or egg.
- Iron with milk — calcium blocks iron absorption by up to 40%. Leave at least 2 hours between them.
- Vitamin A overdoses — fat-soluble, it accumulates, with a risk of toxicity at doses above 3000 IU/day in children. Check the multivitamin label.
- Combining several multivitamins — a multivitamin in the morning + an omega-3 + vitamin D3 can lead to unnoticed overdoses. Read the labels together.
- Supplementing “at the start of the season” — vitamin D does not work overnight. Supplementation must be continuous, not in bursts.
When to talk to the paediatrician
Ask for a medical consultation for:
- A child with a severely selective diet (fewer than 5 different foods accepted).
- A suspected deficiency (pallor, unusual tiredness, delayed growth).
- Vegetarian/vegan families — proper planning for B12, iron, iodine and calcium.
- Children with chronic illnesses (bowel diseases, cystic fibrosis, diabetes).
- Multiple allergies with a restricted diet.
Conclusion
Fewer, better supplements. Vitamin D daily for all children in Romania. Omega-3 if they do not eat fish. Iron, multivitamins and vitamin C only on the paediatrician's recommendation after tests. Choose tested products with a clearly declared content. Ignore the marketing of “sweet gummies” — they contain sugar and imprecise doses. Compare prices in the HartaFarmacii Children category before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
- From what age can I give my child vitamin D?
- From the first week of life, whether you breastfeed or use formula. The standard dose is 400 IU/day for infants and 600-1000 IU/day for older children and adolescents. The Romanian Society of Paediatrics recommends continuous supplementation in the cold season.
- Should I give a healthy child multivitamins every day?
- It is not necessary. A child with a varied diet does not need multivitamins. Exceptions: severe food selectivity, vegetarianism/veganism, recovery after illness, a confirmed deficiency. In excess, they can cause problems.
- Does vitamin C prevent colds in children?
- It does not prevent colds. Large studies do not support this myth. During an active cold, 200-400 mg daily for 5-7 days may shorten it by 1 day. A varied diet provides the vitamin C needed.
- How do I know whether my child has anaemia?
- Signs: unusual tiredness, pallor, poor appetite, irritability. The diagnosis can only be made with a full blood count + ferritin. Do NOT give iron preventively — ask the paediatrician for the tests.
- Is omega-3 necessary if the child eats fish?
- If they eat oily fish (salmon, mackerel) 2-3 times a week, that is enough. If they do not eat fish, supplementing with 150-500 mg DHA/day (depending on age) is useful for the development of the brain and eyesight.