What Are the Side Effects of Vitamin D in Children?
Why Vitamin D Is Important (But Not Always Harmless)
Vitamin D is crucial for kids. We’re talking bone growth, immune system, even mood regulation. But hey—just because something’s good doesn’t mean more is better. Too much vitamin D in children can lead to unexpected (and honestly, kinda scary) side effects. Let’s unpack it.
Common Side Effects of Vitamin D in Kids
Mild digestive issues
If your kid’s suddenly complaining about a tummy ache after taking supplements, that could be it. Some children experience:
Nausea
Constipation
Stomach cramps
I once gave my son an extra dose during a cloudy winter week, thinking “no harm.” Wrong. He was bloated for days and didn’t want to eat dinner. Turns out, I’d unknowingly pushed him into vitamin D overload territory.
Headaches and fatigue
Weirdly enough, while vitamin D supports energy, too much can make your child feel the opposite:
Persistent headaches
Lethargy or irritability
General tiredness
It’s easy to miss this one because, well, kids are moody by default sometimes. But if these symptoms show up after you’ve started supplementation? Red flag.
Serious Side Effects of Vitamin D Overdose
Hypercalcemia: What is that?
Too much vitamin D = too much calcium absorption = hypercalcemia. That’s just a fancy word for too much calcium in the blood. But it can mess up more than you think.
Signs to watch for:
Frequent urination
Extreme thirst
Poor appetite
Kid acting “off” or confused
It sounds dramatic, but there have been real cases where kids needed hospitalization due to megadoses (usually from overzealous supplementation or mislabeled drops).
Kidney damage (yep, it happens)
In rare, long-term excess cases, vitamin D toxicity can harm the kidneys. Calcium deposits might build up where they shouldn’t—like in the kidney tissues. That’s why it’s crucial not to “guess” the dosage or take adult tablets and break them up “roughly.” Don’t play pharmacist unless you really know what you’re doing.
How Much Vitamin D Is Too Much?
Recommended daily intake
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics and most global health bodies:
Infants (0–12 months): 400 IU/day
Children (1–13 years): 600 IU/day
Upper safe limit: around 1,000–2,500 IU, depending on age
Anything above that regularly? You’re rolling the dice.
Natural sources are safer (usually)
Sunlight is a primary source, and yes, kids can make plenty of vitamin D with just 15–30 minutes of sun on their arms and face (depending on skin tone, season, etc.). Also, foods like fortified milk, salmon, and eggs help.
Supplements? Only if your pediatrician recommends them. Seriously. That bottle might say “for children,” but dosing is not one-size-fits-all.
When to See a Doctor
If your child is on vitamin D and you notice:
Vomiting that doesn’t go away
Refusing food
Mood swings out of nowhere
Unexplained weight loss
Just go see the pediatrician. Better safe than sorry. Most issues resolve once the dosage is corrected, but you don’t want to wait for complications.
Final Thoughts: Balance Over Bravado
So—vitamin D is important, absolutely. Especially in northern climates or with limited outdoor time. But more ≠ better. Side effects in children can creep in subtly at first, but they snowball fast if left unchecked.
A smart move? Stick to doctor-approved doses, monitor your child, and remember: the sun and a glass of milk might do just as much good as that shiny supplement bottle.
How much height should a boy have to look attractive?
Well, fellas, worry no more, because a new study has revealed 5ft 8in is the ideal height for a man. Dating app Badoo has revealed the most right-swiped heights based on their users aged 18 to 30.
Is 172 cm good for a man?
Yes it is. Average height of male in India is 166.3 cm (i.e. 5 ft 5.5 inches) while for female it is 152.6 cm (i.e. 5 ft) approximately. So, as far as your question is concerned, aforesaid height is above average in both cases.
Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?
The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.
Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?
How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).
How tall is a average 15 year old?
Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years
| Male Teens: 13 - 20 Years) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 14 Years | 112.0 lb. (50.8 kg) | 64.5" (163.8 cm) |
| 15 Years | 123.5 lb. (56.02 kg) | 67.0" (170.1 cm) |
| 16 Years | 134.0 lb. (60.78 kg) | 68.3" (173.4 cm) |
| 17 Years | 142.0 lb. (64.41 kg) | 69.0" (175.2 cm) |
How to get taller at 18?
Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.
Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?
Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).
Can you grow between 16 and 18?
Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.
Can you grow 1 cm after 17?
Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.