Children's Multivitamins

Best multivitamins for kids

The argument over children's vitamins is about the same as for adults -- experts say there's no clear-cut evidence for or against them. Jay Hoecker, M.D., an emeritus consultant in the department of pediatric and adolescent medicine at the Mayo Clinic, says that children's nutrient needs aren't as high as adults, and many foods are fortified with vitamins and minerals. Although a balanced diet is the best source of vitamins and minerals, it's probably OK to give your child a multivitamin as long as your pediatrician approves it.

If you do give your child a multivitamin, keep these supplements in a childproof bottle or cabinet, and never give your child more than the recommended dose. A 2006 article published in the journal Pediatrics looked at the risk of vitamin A toxicity from "candy-like chewable vitamin supplements" designed for children. An overdose of vitamin A can lead to headaches, blurry vision, vomiting and hair loss. Overall, researchers say these vitamins must be "treated with extreme care when at home."

Children's nutritional needs are unique, so never give your child an adult multivitamin. The higher amounts in adult formulas can be harmful or fatal to children, especially if they contain iron. Children's needs also vary by age group. For example, 1- to 3-year-olds need 700 mg of calcium daily, whereas 4- to 8-year-olds should aim for 1,000 mg per day. The best guideline is to follow your pediatrician's recommendations.

Flintstones Gummies (*Est. $8 for 60 gummies) come out on top in a recent test of kids' multivitamins. In ConsumerLab.com's latest review, four multivitamins for kids are approved, but only the Flintstones Gummies multivitamin does not exceed tolerable intake levels for vitamin A as retinol. Flintstones is also the top-rated brand in a 2010 survey of thousands of pharmacists conducted by Pharmacy Times. Two- and 3-year-olds should receive one gummy per day, and children 4 and up should have two. Flintstones Gummies also perform well in the FDA's test of lead in multivitamins. Although nearly all multivitamins tested contain some trace of lead, the Flintstones Gummies contained only 0.0167 mcg of lead per daily serving -- far below the  provisional total tolerable intake levels of 6 mcg per day for children under the age of 6.

Two gummies provide 2,000 IU of vitamin A, 30 mg of vitamin C, 200 IU of vitamin D, 200 mcg of folic acid and 5 mcg of vitamin B12, in addition to other vitamins and minerals. Flintstones Gummies do not contain any calcium, although Bayer also offers Flintstones Gummies Bone Building Support (*Est. $9 for 50 gummies), which contains 400 IU of vitamin D and 100 mg of calcium per two-gummy serving. It should be noted, however, that this is only a fraction of the calcium children require per day. Reviewers at Drugstore.com say the Flintstones Gummies are perfect for kids who refuse to swallow pills; since they look and taste like candy, Flintstones Gummies appeal to kids who otherwise might shy away from taking their vitamins. Users particularly like the Sour Gummies flavor.

ConsumerLab.com also tests Hero Nutritionals Yummi Bears Multi-Vitamin and Minerals (*Est. $11 for 90 gummies), but they contain slightly more lead in the FDA test than Flintstones Gummies -- 0.109 mcg in a daily serving. Still, they are far below the safe/tolerable level of 6 mcg per day. ConsumerLab.com also cautions that a daily serving of three gummy bears exceeds the UL for vitamin A (as retinol) and zinc for children under the age of 3. The few parental reviews we saw on Drugstore.com indicate that most kids like the taste of Yummi Bears multivitamins, with the exception of a few picky eaters. Hero Nutritionals Yummi Bears are free of artificial flavors and colors, and a daily serving provides 150 IU of vitamin D, 9.2 mg of calcium, 2,500 IU of vitamin A, 30 mg of vitamin C and 3 mcg of vitamin B12.

Store-brand multivitamins perform just as well in independent tests as their name-brand counterparts, and they typically cost significantly less. ConsumerReports.org tests and approves a variety of store-brand kids' multivitamins, including Costco's Kirkland Signature Sugar Free Children's Chewable (*Est. $16 for 300 tablets), Wal-Mart's Equate Children's Multivitamin Complete (*Est. $5.50 for 60 tablets) and Target's Up&Up Children's Multivitamins (*Est. $4.50 for 60 tablets). These store brands contain the nutrients they claim and dissolve just as well as pricier name brands.

Centrum and One-A-Day also have children's formulas. Centrum Kids Complete (*Est. $14 for 180 tablets) and One-A-Day Kids Jolly Rancher Multivitamin Gummies (*Est. $7.50 for 60 gummies) have label directions based on age group. The nutrient amounts are similar, with the exception of vitamin K, iron and added nutrients such as manganese, chromium and molybdenum in Centrum. Experts say these extras probably aren't necessary and only serve to add to the total cost of the multivitamins. The Centrum Kids multivitamin comes in sweetened, chewable cartoon shapes, while the One-A-Day Kids is available in chewable gummies.

Some natural health experts are concerned about some of the ingredients in children's multivitamins. Joseph Mercola, D.O., an osteopathic physician, highlights several of these ingredients on his website, including the artificial sweetener aspartame, synthetic food colorings and hydrogenated vegetable oil, which can contain trans fat. Mercola urges parents to look for vitamins without these ingredients, but it should be noted that he also plugs his own brand of multivitamins, Dr. Mercola Children's Chewables Multivitamin (*Est. $45 for 180 tablets). Unfortunately, this multivitamin hasn't been tested by ConsumerLab.com or ConsumerReports.org.

Trader Darwin's Children's Chewable Vitamins -- sold at Trader Joe's stores -- is tested by ConsumerLab.com in its latest review. Testing indicates that the multivitamins exceed ULs for niacin and vitamin A as retinol. ConsumerLab.com notes that the Trader Darwin's multivitamins contained 5,000 IU of vitamin A as retinol, which is higher than the upper intake level of 3,000 IU.