Instructions for supplementing vitamin B6 for babies

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by Doctor Bui Thi Ha - Neonatologist - Pediatrics - Neonatology Department - Vinmec Ha Long International General Hospital
Supplementing with vitamin B6 for children and infants helps support the metabolism of many important nutrients, protecting the eyes and brain. The need for vitamin B6 supplementation in children depends on age, usually just need to supplement this nutrient through foods is enough.

1. The role of vitamin B6 with children

Vitamin B6 (or pyridoxine) is a very important vitamin for the human body. The essential roles of vitamin B6 are as follows:
Supports nutrient metabolism. Maintain stable blood sugar levels. Involved in the synthesis of serotonin and some other neurotransmitters. Aids in the synthesis of essential amino acids. Plays an important role in the synthesis of hemoglobin in the blood. Prevents formation of kidney stones through increased oxalate excretion. Lowers blood cholesterol, helps protect the heart. Increase body resistance. Supports and maintains the function of the eyes, brain and nervous system.

2. When should vitamin B6 supplements for babies?

Vitamin B6 deficiency is rare in children, but the risk is often increased in cases of malnutrition, malabsorption, or metabolic disorders caused by congenital or drug-induced disorders. When children lack vitamin B6, it is likely that children will also be deficient in other vitamins, especially vitamins of group B.
Vitamin B6 plays a very important role for fetuses, infants and young children. Supplementing with vitamin B6 for babies helps support the formation and development of the body, especially the nervous system as well as the brain in children.
Not only affects brain development, vitamin B6 deficiency also causes immediate harm such as making children more startled, becoming sensitive to light and often crying.

3. Need for vitamin B6 supplementation in children?

The dose of vitamin B6 in children is very small, just under 1.3mg per day. Depending on the age, the need for vitamin B6 supplementation for children will be different.
Recommended daily dose when supplementing with vitamin B6 for infants and children:
Infants under 6 months old: 0.1 mg/day; Children from 6 to 12 months old: 0.3 mg/day; Children from 1 to 3 years old: 0.5 mg/day; Children from 4 to 8 years old: 0.6 mg/day; Children from 9 to 13 years old: 1 mg/day; Children 14-18 years old: 1.3 mg/day for boys and 1.2 mg/day for girls. For children with epilepsy responding to pyridoxine, the dose is 10-100mg by intravenous infusion and intramuscular injection for children.
Normally, if there is no deficiency, parents just need to supplement this nutrient for their baby through the daily diet. Some food sources rich in vitamin B6 include:
Meats, fish Root vegetables, such as broccoli, spinach, red bell peppers, peas, asparagus,... Fruits... Ganoderma nuts

4. Signs of an excess of vitamin B6

Although it is an essential nutrient, if the amount of vitamin B6 in the body is too high, it can lead to many unwanted effects, especially when overusing vitamin B6 supplements in pill form.
The most obvious signs in children with vitamin B6 excess are numbness in the hands and feet, numbness in the hands, fingers, feet and toes, even numbness in the arms and loss of sensation. When you notice that a child shows signs of an overdose of vitamin B6, take the child (along with the product containing vitamin B6 being used) to a medical facility for timely examination and treatment.
Vitamin B6 supplements in the form of drugs and functional foods need to be taken in the right way and in the right dose, preferably as prescribed by a doctor.
If the child does not have vitamin B6 deficiency or related problems, parents do not need to supplement vitamin B6 in pill form. Most of the daily nutrition can meet the baby's need for vitamin B6 in full.
Vitamin B6 deficiency can cause dangerous complications for children's health and mental health, so parents need to observe and timely supplement this important source of vitamin.
In addition to dietary supplements, parents can give their children support foods containing vitamin B6 and essential micro-minerals such as zinc, lysine, chromium, selenium, ... to help fully meet their needs. nutritional needs in children. At the same time, these essential vitamins also support digestion, enhance nutrient absorption, help improve anorexia, and help children eat well.
Please regularly visit Vinmec.com website and update useful information to take care of your baby and family.