Quick answer
NIH sets the upper limit for preformed vitamin A at 600 mcg a day up to age 3, 900 mcg at 4 to 8, 1,700 mcg at 9 to 13 and 2,800 mcg at 14 to 18. MedlinePlus says babies and children are more sensitive to vitamin A and can become sick on smaller doses.1,2
Key facts
- The limits are much lower for children than adults, whose limit is 3,000 mcg a day.1
- MedlinePlus says babies and children can become sick from smaller doses of vitamin A than adults.3
- NIH says the limit counts preformed vitamin A from food, drinks and supplements, and does not apply to beta-carotene.1,2
- In a case report, three children who swallowed 200,000 to 300,000 IU from candy-like chewable vitamins had no complications, but blood retinol took many months to normalize.4
- NIH says children under 9 are among the most likely to take a supplement containing vitamin A.1
What are the vitamin A upper limits for children and teens?
The limits apply to preformed vitamin A, from animal foods and from supplements whose vitamin A is retinol or a retinol ester. NIH says they were set from the amounts linked to liver abnormalities, birth defects and several toxic effects in infants and children.1
| Age | Upper limit a day |
|---|---|
| Birth to 12 months | 600 mcg |
| 1 to 3 years | 600 mcg |
| 4 to 8 years | 900 mcg |
| 9 to 13 years | 1,700 mcg |
| 14 to 18 years | 2,800 mcg |
| 19 years and older | 3,000 mcg |
Children need 300 mcg RAE a day at ages 1 to 3, 400 mcg RAE at 4 to 8 and 600 mcg RAE at 9 to 13.1
Teen boys need 900 mcg RAE a day and teen girls 700 mcg RAE, rising to 750 mcg RAE in pregnancy and 1,200 mcg RAE while breastfeeding.1
Are children more sensitive to vitamin A than adults?
MedlinePlus says so: babies and children are more sensitive to vitamin A and can become sick after taking smaller doses. It adds that swallowing products with vitamin A, such as skin cream with retinol in it, can also cause vitamin A poisoning.3
A hospital report describes three children who each swallowed an estimated 200,000 to 300,000 IU of vitamin A from candy-like chewable vitamins. They had no clinical or lab complications, but blood retinol rose well above the normal range for their ages, took 1 to 3 weeks to peak and many months to return to normal. The authors warned parents about excessive vitamin consumption and noted that late complications might follow a late peak.4
On gummies and chewables, the label shows the vitamin A amount. NIH says supplements often list vitamin A as a mix of retinol and beta-carotene, and only the retinol share counts toward the upper limit; in its example, 1,200 mcg RAE of preformed vitamin A is above the limit for children from birth to 8 years.1
What about teens and vitamin A supplements?
For teens 14 to 18, NIH gives 900 mcg RAE a day for boys and 700 mcg for girls, with an upper limit of 2,800 mcg of preformed vitamin A. Teens who are or might be pregnant are covered on the pregnancy page, where NIH's caution about high-dose preformed vitamin A applies.1
One or a few very large doses of preformed vitamin A, typically more than 100 times the RDA, can cause severe headache, blurred vision, nausea, dizziness, aching muscles and problems with coordination within days to weeks. In severe cases it can lead to coma and death.1,2
Regular high intakes of preformed vitamin A can cause dry skin, painful muscles and joints, fatigue, depression and abnormal liver test results.1
Who should ask a doctor about vitamin A for a child or teen
- Parents of any child under 9 who takes a multivitamin plus a separate vitamin A or fish liver oil product, who should ask the pediatrician to add up the preformed vitamin A.1
- Parents of a child with cystic fibrosis, Crohn's disease, celiac disease or another condition that affects fat absorption, since NIH says these conditions raise the risk of low vitamin A, and that standard care for cystic fibrosis includes vitamin A treatment.1
- Parents of a child who has swallowed a large amount of a vitamin product, who should call a doctor or poison control center immediately.4
- Teens taking isotretinoin, whose label and pharmacist give separate advice about vitamin A supplements.5
Questions people ask
Is vitamin A safe for kids?
NIH sets upper limits of 600 mcg a day up to age 3 and 900 mcg at 4 to 8 for preformed vitamin A, and MedlinePlus says children are more sensitive to vitamin A. Ask your pediatrician about any supplement.1,3
Is vitamin A good for teens?
NIH gives 900 mcg RAE a day for teen boys and 700 mcg for teen girls, with an upper limit of 2,800 mcg of preformed vitamin A. Ask your doctor before a teen starts a vitamin A supplement.1
What happens if a child takes too much vitamin A?
MedlinePlus says children can become sick on smaller doses than adults. NIH lists severe headache, blurred vision, nausea and dizziness after very large doses. A child who swallowed a large amount is a reason to call a doctor or poison control right away.1,3
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Sources
- National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. Vitamin A and Carotenoids: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. Updated March 10, 2025. Opened 2026-10-07.
- National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. Vitamin A and Carotenoids: Fact Sheet for Consumers. Updated March 10, 2025. Opened 2026-10-07.
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Vitamin A. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Review date 1/21/2025. Opened 2026-10-11.
- Lam HS, Chow CM, Poon WT, Lai CK, Chan KC, Yeung WL, et al. Risk of vitamin A toxicity from candy-like chewable vitamin supplements for children. Pediatrics. 2006;118(2):820-4. A report of three cases. Opened 2026-10-11.
- MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine. Isotretinoin. Last revised August 15, 2018. Opened 2026-10-07.
This page is information, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your own situation.