Kids need vitamin supplements to stay healthy

What the research found

Australian health guidance says a balanced, varied diet should give the body all the nutrients it needs. It says most people don't need supplements, and many who take them don't need them. Higher doses aren't better and can sometimes cause harm.

There are clear exceptions. Supplements may be advised for people with a nutritional deficiency, a condition that affects absorption, or a restricted diet. Australia's national health research body recommends that all newborns get vitamin K soon after birth to prevent serious bleeding.

Research on routine supplements for healthy children is limited here. A 2024 Endocrine Society guideline on vitamin D noted that links between vitamin D levels and disease are often not proven to be causal, and that the benefit-risk balance of widespread use is unclear. A French expert group (2022) wrote vitamin D advice for children to prevent deficiency and rickets. A 2020 trial in Guinea-Bissau found a fortified food supplement improved working memory in undernourished children under 4. That was food, not vitamin pills, in a very different setting.

What it doesn’t mean

• This doesn't mean no child needs supplements. Kids with a diagnosed deficiency, a medical condition or a restricted diet, such as a vegan diet, may need them.
• Supplements can cause harm, including allergic reactions, side effects and interactions with medicines. Don't give high doses without advice.
• If you're worried about your child's diet, fussy eating or possible deficiency, talk to your GP or child health nurse before starting supplements.