Vitamin D

Important information about vitamin D:

  • Learn more about Vitamin D.

  • Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin. The fats in foods help these vitamins to be absorbed in our gut. Vitamin D is found in some foods, but our main sources of vitamin D come from supplements (tablets, capsules, or liquids) and the sun.

  • Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium. All children need vitamin D to grow and to have healthy bones and teeth. Vitamin D is also important in maintaining the health of our muscles and our immune system. Studies suggest that vitamin D plays a role in decreasing the risk of many chronic diseases, such as arthritis, cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure.

  • Vitamin D dosing depends on your child's health. Recommended vitamin D doses are:

    • Healthy infants 1 year of age or younger: 10 mcg (400 units) daily

    • Healthy children older than 12 months of age: 15 mcg (600 units) daily

    • Children with medical conditions may need extra vitamin D

  • If your child does not get enough vitamin D from what they eat and drink, a Vitamin D supplement can help. Your healthcare provider will tell you how many micrograms (mcg) or units of supplemental vitamin D to give your child each day.

Important information about vitamin D supplements:

  • There are two forms of vitamin D found in foods and supplements.

    • Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol): available by prescription or as an over-the-counter product.

    • Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol): available as an over-the-counter product. It is generally better absorbed than vitamin D2.

    • Some over-the-counter vitamin D supplements may contain other vitamins or minerals. Contact your healthcare provider before using these supplements.

  • Product labels for vitamin D supplements show the strength and concentration in micrograms (mcg) instead of units (IU). Note that 10 mcg of vitamin D is equivalent to 400 units.

  • If your child is following a specific diet, carefully read the label to identify ingredients that you need to avoid. If you still have questions about the product, contact your healthcare provider.

  • Vitamin D supplements can be found at your local pharmacy in the vitamins and minerals section.

  • If the supplement is not available at your pharmacy, you may need to buy it on the internet. Speak with your healthcare provider before ordering any vitamin D supplements from the internet.

  • Choose USP verified products, when possible, to ensure quality. Browse the full list of USP Verified Products.

  • If a USP verified product is not available, here is a list of other vitamin D supplements you may consider:

Follow these instructions for giving vitamin D supplements:

  • All products: give with food to improve how it is absorbed into the body. Vitamin D is available in many different dosage forms and concentrations; pay extra attention when reading labels.

  • Liquid products: carefully read the concentration of your home product. This will determine how much medicine volume you will need to give your child's prescribed dose.

  • Use the label to find how many micrograms (mcg) of medication are in the "Amount Per Serving" section.

    1. Look at the package label to find the concentration (mcg per ml OR mcg per drop).

    2. Then use the label to find how many milliliters (mL) or drops the "Serving Size" is. "Amount Per Serving" divided by the "Serving Size" will be the concentration.

  • If the concentration of your liquid product doesn't match what your healthcare provider recommended, contact them to clarify how to give your child's dose.

  • Pay attention to how your child’s vitamin D is packaged. The way you give the medicine depends on the bottle type.

Bottle with dropper tip

If the dose does not round to a full drop, contact your healthcare provider. You may be able to remove the dropper tip and use an oral syringe

Bottle with dropper tip

instead.

By mouth:

  • Put the prescribed number of drops in a small amount of water, milk, or soft food.

  • Do not mix with other medicines.

  • Make sure your child takes the full amount, so they get the full dose.

  • Do not drop directly into your child’s mouth. This may give too much by mistake.

  • For infants: place the drops on a clean fingertip, pacifier, or mother’s nipple and let the baby suckle for 30 seconds.

By feeding tube:

  • Mix the drops in 1–2 mL of water or milk.

  • Draw up the entire mixture into an oral syringe.

  • Give through the feeding tube as you were taught.

    Bottle with dropper syringe

Bottle with dropper syringe

By mouth:

  • Only use the dropper syringe if it came with the vitamin D bottle; dropper syringes are not interchangeable between different brands.

  • Gently tilt the syringe toward the inside of your child’s cheek to give the dose.

By feeding tube:

  • Do not use a dropper syringe with a feeding tube.

  • Ask your pharmacy for an oral syringe and an adapter cap to measure the dose instead.

 

Bottle with oral syringe

Bottle with oral syringe

If your child’s dose is smaller than 0.05 mL, it is too small to measure with an oral syringe. Ask your provider about a different product.

By mouth:

  • Use the smallest size oral syringe that can hold the full dose.

  • Tilt the syringe toward the inside of your child’s cheek to give the dose gently.

By feeding tube:

  • Use the smallest size oral syringe that fits the full dose.

  • Give the medicine through the tube as you were taught, including flushing with water after giving.

Additional information about foods that provide vitamin D:

  • Pink salmon, canned, 3 ounces: 13.25 mcg (530 units)

  • Tuna, canned, 3.5 ounces: 5.75 mcg (230 units)

  • Fortified milk, 8 ounces: 2.5 mcg (100 units)

  • Fortified orange juice, 8 ounces: 2.5 mcg (100 units)

  • Infant formulas, 8 ounces: 2.5 mcg (100 units)

  • Fortified yogurts, 8 ounces: 2.5 mcg (100 units)

  • Fortified cheeses, 3 ounces: 2.5 mcg (100 units)

  • Fortified breakfast cereals, 1 cup: 1 mcg (40 units)

  • Egg yolk, 1 large: 0.5 mcg (20 units)

*Listed values are examples. Actual vitamin D content may vary between different products and brands.

Call your CHOP healthcare provider with any questions or concerns.

 

Reviewed September 2025 by Stephanie Li, PharmD