Should we give vitamins to children?

Abstract

Adequate supply of micronutrients including vitamins is essential for the normal functioning of child's body. Currently, about 2 billion people worldwide suffer from vitamin deficiencies. The most vulnerable population groups are pregnant women, children and adolescents. Vitamin deficiency which developed in childhood has adverse long-term outcomes throughout the whole life. One of the priority areas of the public policy of the Government of the Russian Federation in the field of healthy nutrition is to improve vitamin sufficiency in children and adults. This article describes biological effects of the essential vitamins and outcomes of deficiencies; the need for the management of vitamin deficiency is substantiated.