Kids Vitamins & Supplements

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Learn More about your Kid's Health

Why is bone health so important during childhood?

Bone tissue grows rapidly throughout childhood, with particularly important gains around puberty and adolescence. If a child consistently falls short on bone-building nutrients or is very inactive, the body may have less opportunity to build and strengthen bone during this high-growth period. [1,8]

Strong bones do more than reduce fracture risk. They support movement, protect internal organs and provide the framework that allows children to run, jump and play confidently. Building healthy habits early can also make it easier to maintain bone health into adulthood. [1,3]

Why is vitamin D important for growing children?

Vitamin D supports several key functions during growth:

  • Bone development: Vitamin D helps the gut absorb calcium and phosphorus, minerals needed for normal bone mineralisation [4,5,9].
  • Muscle function: Adequate vitamin D supports normal muscle function, which contributes to movement, strength and balance [9].
  • Immune function: Vitamin D has a role in immune regulation. Low vitamin D has been associated with infection risk, although vitamin D should not be viewed as a treatment or guarantee against infections [7].
  • Long-term skeletal health: Childhood and adolescence are important years for building peak bone mass. Reaching a healthy peak bone mass supports stronger bones later in life [6,8].

What are the best ways to support a childā€™s immune system?

Focus first on everyday habits that help the immune system work normally: [10,11,12]

  • Offer a varied diet with vegetables, fruit, whole grains, protein foods and other nutrient-rich choices.
  • Help children get enough sleep for their age and keep a consistent sleep routine.
  • Encourage daily active play or physical activity appropriate for age.
  • Keep childhood vaccinations up to date according to Malaysiaā€™s National Immunisation Programme and medical advice.
  • Teach regular handwashing and sensible hygiene, especially before eating and after coughing, sneezing or using the toilet.
  • Avoid tobacco smoke exposure and seek medical advice when a child is frequently or unusually unwell.

Nutrients That May Help Soothe Eczema in Children

Nutrition can support a childā€™s overall health, but eczema is primarily managed with regular moisturising, trigger avoidance and prescribed treatment when needed. Some nutrients and topical options ā€” such as vitamin D when deficiency is present, zinc when deficient, and virgin coconut oil as a moisturiser ā€” may be helpful in selected children. Probiotics, herbal preparations and restrictive diets should not be treated as routine eczema cures. [13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21]

References

1. Proia P, Amato A, Drid P, Korovljev D, Vasto S, Baldassano S. The impact of diet and physical activity on bone health in children and adolescents. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2021;12:704647. doi:10.3389/fendo.2021.704647.

2. Prentice A, Schoenmakers I, Laskey MA, De Bono S, Ginty F, Goldberg GR. Nutrition and bone growth and development. Proc Nutr Soc. 2006;65:348-360.

3. Redondo-Cuevas L, Sanchis-ChordƠ J, CodoƱer-Franch P. Child nutrition and bone health. J Child Sci. 2018;8:e67-e74.

4. Wagner CL, Greer FR. Prevention of rickets and vitamin D deficiency in infants, children, and adolescents. Pediatrics. 2008;122(5):1142-52.

5. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Calcium, nutrition, and bone health [Internet]. Rosemont (IL): AAOS; [cited 2026 Jan 2]. Available from: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/staying-healthy/calcium-nutrition-and-bone-health/

6. Stagi S, Cavalli L, Iurato C, Seminara S, Brandi ML, de Martino M. Bone metabolism in children and adolescents: determinants of peak bone mass. Clin Cases Miner Bone Metab. 2013;10(3):172-9.

7. Walker VP, Modlin RL. The vitamin D connection to pediatric infections and immune function. Pediatr Res. 2009;65(5 Pt 2):106R-13R.

8. Chevalley T, Rizzoli R. Acquisition of peak bone mass. Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2022;36(2):101616.

9. National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. Vitamin D: health professional fact sheet [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): NIH; 2025 [cited 2026 Jan 2]. Available from: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/

10. American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org. Nutritional Supplements, Vitamins & Boosting Your Childā€™s Immunity. Updated 17 Apr 2026. Source

11. World Health Organization. Healthy diet. Updated 26 Jan 2026. Source

12. World Health Organization. Physical activity recommendations for children and adolescents. Source

13. Ministry of Health, Malaysia. Clinical Practice Guidelines: Management of Atopic Eczema. Putrajaya: Malaysian Health Technology Assessment Section (MaHTAS); 2018.

14. Huang CM, Lara-Corrales I, Pope E. Effects of Vitamin D levels and supplementation on atopic dermatitis: A systematic review. Pediatr Dermatol. 2018;35(6):754-760. doi:10.1111/pde.13700.

15. Hidayati AN, Sawitri S, Sari DW, et al. Efficacy of vitamin D supplementation on the severity of atopic dermatitis in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis. F1000Res. 2023;11:274. doi:10.12688/f1000research.106957.2.

16. David TJ, Wells FE, Sharpe TC, Gibbs ACC. Low serum zinc in children with atopic eczema. Br J Dermatol. 1984;111(5):597-601. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2133.1984.tb06630.x.

17. Molina EL, Patel JA. A to Z: Vitamin A and zinc, the miracle duo. Indian J Pediatr. 1996;63(4):427-431. doi:10.1007/bf02905712.

18. Evangelista MT, Abad-Casintahan F, Lopez-Villafuerte L. The effect of topical virgin coconut oil on SCORAD index, transepidermal water loss, and skin capacitance in mild to moderate pediatric atopic dermatitis: a randomized, double-blind, clinical trial. Int J Dermatol. 2014;53(1):100-108. doi:10.1111/ijd.12339.

19. Sidbury R, Alikhan A, Bercovitch L, et al. Guidelines of care for the primary prevention of atopic dermatitis and awareness of comorbid conditions in pediatric atopic dermatitis. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2026;95(1):124.e1-124.e19. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2026.02.114.

20. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Atopic eczema in under 12s: diagnosis and management (CG57). Updated September 2025. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg57

21. Davis DMR, Alikhan A, Bercovitch L, et al. Guidelines of care for the management of atopic dermatitis in pediatric patients. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2026;95(1):121.e1-121.e26. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2026.02.113.