Calcium supplements for kids

Vitamin D and calcium: new recommendations for children

Calcium supplements for kids - The Pediatric Societies wanted to simplify and align with Europe to formulate their vitamin D and calcium supplementation recommendations. And recommend, among other things, daily supplementation. We take stock.

Preferred daily vitamin D supplementation

They advise healthy children aged 0-18 to be supplemented with 400 IU to 800 IU of vitD per day.

• They recommend daily supplementation in children from 0 to 2 years of vitD two or D 3 even in breastfed babies because breast milk contains very little vitD and exclusively breastfed infants, particularly those born to mothers deficient in vitD, are at greater risk of rickets.
• They suggest favoring daily supplementation in children aged 2 to 18 years.
• In the event of non-compliance in children aged 2 to 18, they suggest intermittent supplementation of 50,000 IU of vitD 3 per quarter or 80,000 to 100,000 IU twice in autumn and winter.

They recommend using only licensed pharmaceutical vitD supplements.

Increase intake in case of risk factors

They advise 800 to 1600 for 2-18-year-olds at increased risk of developing rickets and vitD deficiency. In addition, these children have the following conditions: malabsorption, maldigestion, chronic renal failure, nephrotic syndrome, cholestasis, hepatic failure, cystic fibrosis, secondary bone fragility, chronic inflammatory pathology, anorexia nervosa, skin pathology, long-term treatment for epilepsy or corticosteroids.

• They recommend a minimum of 800 IU and a maximum of 1600 IU of vitD per day in children aged 2 to 18 in the event of reduced availability of vitD (obesity, black ethnicity, lack of skin exposure to the sun) or decreased intake (a vegan diet excluding dietary vitamin D sources from oily fish and fortified dairy products, is at high risk of calcium/vitD deficiency and nutritional rickets)

Possible vitamin D poisoning

Vitamin D overdose carries a risk of the following: acute hypercalcemia (manifested by polyuria, hypertension, or acute kidney injury) and/or chronic hypercalciuria, nephrocalcinosis, and nephrolithiasis. This can occur in specific situations such as excessive iatrogenic intake of native vitamin D and/or the use of high-dose non-prescription preparations, whether or not purchased on the Internet. Similarly, poisoning can be endogenous by overproduction or lack of degradation of bioactive vitamin D: paraneoplastic syndrome, systemic diseases, lymphoproliferative syndromes, and rare genetic diseases.

Particular attention should be paid to food supplements containing vitD at concentrations sometimes seven to ten times higher than those of authorized pharmaceutical formulations, significantly increasing the risk of overdose.

Experts recommend measuring 25(OH)D levels to adjust vitamin D supplementation if there is a family history of vitamin D intoxication, hypercalcemia, hypercalciuria, kidney stones, and/or nephrocalcinosis.

Recommendations to meet calcium needs

From 1 to 18 years old, the recommendations are three or four dairy products per day.

• The consumption of calcium-rich mineral waters should be encouraged, especially when the daily intake of dairy products is insufficient.
• Replacing one or more dairy products with plants rich in calcium seems unreasonable because the quantities needed to provide enough calcium would be too high, particularly at these ages or with plants rich in components affecting calcium absorption.
• Supplementation of 500 to 1,000 mg/day should be prescribed for those consuming less than 300 mg/day, particularly those following a vegan diet.
• Pediatric societies recommend assessing dietary calcium intake in children with fractures and bone pain.

Dietary recommendations for calcium

In infants 7 to 11 months

390 mL of follow-on milk, a volume easily reached by at least two bottles per day

• In 1-3-year-olds

250 ml (a usual bottle) of growth milk + 1 yogurt (125g) + 10g of cooked, pressed cheese

Some equivalences for calcium content

150 mg of calcium ingested (and not absorbed) corresponding to:

450ml breast milk

250ml infant formula

210 mL follow-up formula

200 ml growing-up milk

130ml cow's milk

16 g cooked pressed cheese, 29 g soft cheese, 125 g cottage cheese, 125 g yogurt

95 g arugula, 170 g watercress, 210 g kale, 215 g green cabbage, 350 g broccoli, 100 g rhubarb, 110 g spinach, 125 g white beans, 50 g sardines with bones, 300 mL of mineral water with 500 mg/L Ca (i.e., Contrex), 600 mL of mineral water with 250 mg/L Ca (i.e., Vittel), 1 .5 L of mineral water at 100 mg/L of Ca (ex: Evian), 2.1 L of French tap water

Calcium is an essential element for babies.

Calcium is essential for a baby's growth and can be found in breast, infant milk, and dairy products. In addition, it participates in the toddler's good dental and bone construction.

What is calcium for babies?

Calcium is an essential mineral from birth. It contributes to the good dental and bone constitution of your little one and helps him to grow and develop in top form. Since the body does not produce calcium, food provides it. If breast milk, infant milk, and dairy products are the primary sources of calcium, know that it is also found in certain vegetables (broccoli, spinach, beans, watercress, parsley, etc.) and fish.

The calcium necessary for babies and mothers

If you are breastfeeding, your baby will have everything he needs to develop well. As for you, know that your calcium needs will be 1000 mg per day during your pregnancy. Consume three dairy products a day, favoring milk, yogurts, and cheeses, and/or drinking enough water because you also need plenty of water to breastfeeding. If you are not breastfeeding, rest assured: infant milk supplements are regulated and provide the right amount of calcium for your child.

Calcium for babies from six months to 1-year-old

At the time of food diversification, your child will switch to second-age milk or "follow-on milk." Despite introducing fruits, vegetables, proteins, and cereals into his diet, breast milk or infant milk remains central (at least 500 ml/day). If your baby only wants a bottle in the morning and evening, you can offer him "special baby" dairy products with other meals (dessert creams, Swiss cheese) to compensate for his calcium intake. From 8 months, you can also give him cheese cut into strips or grated in his purees. This will allow him to develop his taste.

Calcium for children 1 to 3 years old

From 10-12 months, it is advisable to switch to growing-up milk. It's specially formulated to meet the needs of children from 1 to 3 years old—a significant source of calcium, vitamins, and iron. Your child will continue to consume it in addition to a balanced diet.

At this age, the recommended calcium intake is 500 mg per day.

Example of a day "rich" in calcium:

At breakfast: a bottle (250 ml) or a bowl of milk with infant cereals

At lunch: a whole milk yogurt or two special growth Swiss rolls (up to 18 months)

As a snack: 20 g of cheese

At dinner: pasta with vegetables au gratin or a cream dessert

Vitamin D binds calcium.

Vitamin D prevents rickets and boosts the immune system. It's essential. If it's present in infant milk, it's not in sufficient quantity. Ultraviolet radiation stimulates its production. This is why doctors supplement babies with vitamin D for up to 18 months and from 1 to 5 years in winter.

Calcium intake: correspondences:

a glass of milk (150 ml) = a yoghurt = 40 g of Camembert (two children's portions) = 25 g of Babybel = 20 g of Emmental = 100 g of dessert cream = five small Swiss cheeses of 30 g = three melted cheeses.