Switching vitamin D products for babies can cause dangerous dosage errors, warns Dr. Gérald Kierzek, stressing the need to consult healthcare professionals when changing concentrations.
Vitamin D dosage varies by product
A change in the vitamin D bottle for a baby can lead to dosage errors, according to Dr. Gérald Kierzek, who warns about differences in concentration between products and emphasizes the importance of verifying the dose with a healthcare professional.One drop does not equal one drop
One drop does not contain the same amount of vitamin D in all products, which can lead to incorrect dosing if the number of drops remains unchanged when switching products. Dr. Kierzek advises against stopping supplementation, as vitamin D is prescribed from the first days of life to prevent rickets, a disease that disrupts bone development.Switching products increases risk
With vitamin D, the action seems simple: count drops. However, this reference can be misleading, as one drop can provide a very different amount of vitamin D depending on the product. Replacing the prescribed medication with a dietary supplement, especially bought online, can therefore significantly change the actual dose received by the child.Health agencies warn of risks
The National Agency for Medication Safety, the ANSM, has warned since 2021 about this risk, after cases of overdosing in young children who had received vitamin D enriched supplements. The French Order of Pharmacists relays the same recommendation: for children, prefer medications over dietary supplements, because their quality, concentration, and administration methods are better regulated.Not all supplements are unsafe
The nuance is important: it is not about saying that all supplements are inherently dangerous. The risk mainly arises when one switches products without checking the concentration and dosage with a healthcare provider.
