Supplements for kids and teens

Pediatric supplementation has a much narrower evidence base than adult use, and dosing rarely scales linearly from adult ranges. The AAP recommends vitamin D drops for breastfed infants (400 IU/day), iron in formula or food after 6 months, and a prenatal-aligned vitamin K injection at birth. Beyond these, supplementation in healthy children is rarely needed. Pediatric melatonin ER visits jumped 530% from 2019–2022 — nearly all from accidental ingestion. Adult ergogenics (creatine, beta-alanine, pre-workouts) lack pediatric safety data and should be discussed with a pediatrician before any teen athlete uses them. The list below shows supplements with documented pediatric-safe dosing.