To support their growth and development, children need a complete and balanced nutritional intake. From food, children can get various nutrients that the body needs. One of them is vitamin C.
Vitamin C is well known for its role in strengthening a child’s immune system. This is because vitamin C contains high levels of antioxidants.
Even though it’s important, don’t overconsume vitamin C, Mom. Excessive consumption of vitamin C or an overdose can have an impact on your health.
The following Thevolume.net summarizes information on what the consequences will be if a child overdoses on vitamin C, reported by Livestrong:
1. How many doses of vitamin C do children need?
For children aged 1-3 years need vitamin C as much as 15 mg per day. Meanwhile, children aged 4-8 years need 25 mg of vitamin C per day. Children before their teens, ie 9-13 years, need 45 mg per day.
This need for vitamin C can be met from various foods, such as fruits, such as oranges, broccoli, strawberries, or tomatoes.
2. What is the maximum dose of vitamin C that a child can tolerate?
Unless a doctor recommends taking additional vitamin C supplements, healthy children should not exceed the maximum tolerated dose for their age.
The maximum dose for children aged 1-3 years is 400 mg per day. While children aged 4-8 years is 650 mg per day, and children aged 9-13 years is 1,200 mg per day.
3. Could the child have overdosed on vitamin C?
Although it is unlikely that a child could have a vitamin C overdose if he or she takes ‘megadose’ amounts of vitamin C. It is considered a ‘megadose’ if the child’s consumption of vitamin C supplements exceeds the maximum that the child can tolerate.
An overdose of vitamin C can cause symptoms of the disease although it is not toxic and does not require emergency treatment. In most cases, you don’t have to worry about your child having an overdose of vitamin C because the body doesn’t store the excess vitamin. Excess doses of vitamin C will be excreted in the urine.
4. Complications that occur due to overdose of vitamin C
Overdose of vitamin C can cause complications in children. Most cases make the child feel uncomfortable, but this condition will not harm the child seriously.
Side effects that may arise include:
- Nauseous
- Vomit
- Diarrhea
- Heartburn
- stomach cramps
- Headache
- Insomnia
Overdose of vitamin C can also increase the risk of kidney stones in children.
5. Consequences if lack of vitamin C
Excess is not good, as well as if the child is deficient in vitamin C. Lack of vitamin C causes children to:
- Easy bruising
- Dry skin and hair
- Nosebleeds and bleeding
- Inflamed gums
- Weakened immune system
- Slow wound healing.
Therefore, it is important to ensure that children get vitamin C intake that is appropriate for their age. Consult a doctor before giving additional vitamin C in the form of supplements, yes, Mom.
I hope this information is helpful.
