Vitamin Overdose in Children

Anything beyond limit is dangerous and so is vitamin overdose in children.



A combination of water soluble and fat soluble vitamins is essential for healthy growth and development. Parents give their children vitamin supplements so that they can maintain the optimum level of vitamin in their bodies. But, excess of these vitamins or an overdose can be fatal and result in severe health diseases.

Children’s vitamin overdose occurs by accidentally or intentionally taking more than recommended dietary allowances of vitamins. Most of the multivitamins or vitamin supplements are a combination of all essential vitamins and minerals. The major threat in consuming large amounts of multivitamins is the presence of iron.



Iron toxicity can be fatal, leading to food poisoning and even child mortality.

In case of vitamin overdose, children are more prone to infections, allergies and many other health disorders. The most common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, weight loss, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, itching, dry skin, hair loss.

An overdose of Vitamin A results in headaches, yellow pigmentation, blurred vision, hair loss and liver damage.



Children with Vitamin A toxicity show signs of low grade fever, dry skin, sore mouth and diarrhea.

An overdose of Vitamin B can lead to neurological disorder and numbness in hands and mouth. Toxicity of Vitamin B3 can show symptoms of faintness, abdominal pain, low glucose level, diarrhea, jaundice, headache and impairment in liver function.

During any case of toxicity or overdose, children’s vitamins prove to be very harmful. It is very essential that parents should consult a child specialist before giving any supplement to their children.



The supplements must not be taken as a replacement of natural food sources rich in vitamins.

Most of the children are attracted by various fun character shapes and natural fruity flavors of the vitamin supplements. Parents should monitor that they don’t take an overdose.



The supplements should be kept away out of the reach and in case any accident occurs, immediately call upon for a doctor or poison control department. It takes four hours to perform chelation, so take an immediate action.