Multivitamins (MV) for healthy children: What are the true benefits?

Present "always achieving perfect fitness" driven increasing general awareness in health & wellness has provoked a surprising surge in dietary supplements such as routine MV consumption. MV contains micronutrient sources in pre-dosed form. Nutraceutical companies are spending lots of their resources towards exploring the lucrative pediatric sector by developing child-friendly appealing easy to pop packaged MVs. As per scientific findings MVs are mostly used by active & healthy eating children between 2-4 years compared to nutritionally deficient children. 

Doubtful benefits of MV supplementation in healthy children:

1. May improve IQ but not support academic achievement 
2. Availability of conflicting randomized clinical trials with poor strength to support MV health benefits 
3. Decrease the incidence & severity of common infectious diseases among children (peri-urban India)
4. May induce asthma and food allergy chances
Ironically MV supplementation is least availed by the children with established nutritional deficiencies. 
Crucial benefits of MVM incorporation in a nutrient deficient children 
• Increase in nonverbal IQ 
• Reduced illness & infections 

Why are MV supplements opted by parents of healthy children?

1. To improve children’s general health & reduce disease risk
2. To fulfill nutritional gaps & increase essential nutrient intake
3. To boost cognitive developmentIn spite of gaining popularity, presence of MV child-based clinical studies that examine the labeled micronutrient content of dietary supplements for children are scarce. MV related available information is inadequate, only promoting the benefit, ignoring the side effects & not taking care of overuse of MV in children.

The American Academy of Pediatrics findings & commendations for MV usage:

• Healthy children eating balanced diet do not need MV supplementation above Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA)
• MV can be prescribed as an adjunct to healthy diet to underweight nutrient deficient children, picky eaters and children on special diet
• Excessive intake of MVs may lead to toxic symptoms like rashes, headaches and severe health issues
• MV should be given to children under pediatrician's supervision
• Parents should always give recommended dose and avoid overdose
• Allergies associated with MV should be reported to the pediatrician 
• Parents should be educated not to consider MV as a substitute for balanced & healthy diet and not use it for self-treatment of vitamin deficiencies
• For right treatment, primary health care providers should be contacted for children with signs of nutritional deficiencies 
• Available therapeutic duplication should be checked by the pharmacists in order to prevent MV toxicities
• Suitable mass awareness should be created regarding choosing the appropriate nutritional supplements, analyzing possible drug-micronutrient interactions & contraindications.

Conclusion: 

Children with nutritional deficiencies due to malabsorption syndrome, unfamiliar diets, and inadequate need MV supplementation along with correct dietary and therapeutic measures. MV supplementation can offer the correct support to modify disease prognosis and work synergistically with essential therapeutic tools. Appropriate usage of MV supplementation and avoiding inadequate or excessive utilization in the pediatric sector demands more authentic scientific supportive data and guidelines. 

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