Vitamin B6 - Do Kids Need Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)?

Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) is a water-soluble B-complex vitamin essential for over 100 enzymatic reactions, including macronutrient metabolism including carbohydrates, protein, and fats. It also supports neurotransmitter production and red blood cell formation. (1)

Vitamin B6 is found in foods like chickpeas, salmon, and potatoes and is available in supplements. It supports brain health, mood, vision, and immunity. While most get enough through diet, deficiency can occur, causing confusion, irritability, weakness, anemia, and skin issues. (2)

How Does Vitamin B6 Function in Your Child’s Body?

Vitamin B6 is absorbed in the jejunum (the second part of your small intestine) after its phosphorylated form is converted to a dephosphorylated form, allowing passive transport through the intestinal walls. (1)

Vitamin B6 supports energy, mood, focus, and immune function, helping protect kids from illness. It aids sleep and stress management by boosting melatonin and has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that prevent fatigue and support long-term health. Studies show it helps prevent heart disease by regulating blood pressure and improving cholesterol levels, making it essential for children's development and well-being.

Why do Children Need Pyridoxine?

The B-complex vitamins support your child's growth, development, and mental health. Vitamin B6 is especially important for brain and heart health.

Here are some important vitamin B6 health benefits:

Improves mood
Decreases symptoms of depression
Supports brain health
Maintains healthy blood cells
Promotes eye health and prevents the risk of eye disease
Improves symptoms of Autism

Improves mood and symptoms of depression: Vitamin B6 supports mood regulation by aiding in the production of dopamine, serotonin, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). (3)

Vitamin B6 helps lower homocysteine levels, which are linked to psychiatric issues and depression in children and teens. Research shows depressed individuals often have low B6 levels, and supplementation with B6, B9, and B12 may reduce depression risk and improve brain function, potentially lowering Alzheimer’s risk. Consult a doctor for childhood depression treatment. (4)

Supports brain health: Vitamin B6 supports brain development, growth, and function. It enhances melatonin production for better sleep, boosts cognitive abilities in children, and may help prevent memory loss with age. (1)

Maintains healthy blood cells: Studies show inadequate vitamin B6 intake is linked to anemia, especially in pregnant and menstruating women. B6 supports hemoglobin production, which transports oxygen to body tissues. Low hemoglobin can lead to anemia.

A study found that 75 mg of vitamin B6 daily significantly improved anemia in 56 pregnant women. Another study showed B6 reduced the risk of an inherited type of anemia called sideroblastic anemia in infants. (5)

Promotes eye health and prevents the risk of eye disease: Vitamin B6 supports eye health and helps prevent age-related macular degeneration (AMD). A study found that supplementing with B6, B9, and B12 reduced the risk of AMD by 35-40% in 5400 health professionals. (6)

Improves symptoms of Autism: Research shows that combining vitamin B6 and magnesium improves Autism symptoms in children, enhancing physiological functions and interpersonal skills. (7)

What is Vitamin B6 Deficiency?

Vitamin B6 deficiency usually occurs alongside low levels of other B vitamins, such as B12 and B9. Common causes of vitamin B6 deficiency include: (1)

Malabsorption diseases, such as ulcerative colitis, celiac disease, and Crohn’s disease
Low intake of foods rich in vitamin B6, such as beef, fish, poultry, and whole grains
Genetic problems that cause B6 deficiency, like homocystinuria (a condition in which your body is not able to metabolize methionine).

What are the symptoms of low vitamin B6? Vitamin B6 deficiency more frequently occurs in underdeveloped, under-nourished and impoverished populations because of limited access to healthy whole foods like fish, beef, and whole grains. However, vitamin B6 deficiency can occur from various other reasons, and below are some major vitamin B6 deficiency symptoms in your kid:

Weak immune system in child
Confusion and irritability
Body weakness
Anemia
Skin problems

Weak immune system symptoms: Vitamin B6 is essential for immune cell production, including lymphocytes and interleukin-2. B6 deficiency weakens immune function, making children more susceptible to illness. (8)

Confusion and irritability: Vitamin B6 is crucial for brain function, and deficiency can cause neurological issues in children, including irritability and poor cognitive and interpersonal skills. (9)

Body weakness: The B vitamins, including B6, are vital for energy production. Research shows that B6, B9, and B12 deficiencies in children are linked to fatigue, weakness, and low energy. (9)

Anemia: Vitamin B6 is crucial for red blood cell production, and its deficiency can lead to childhood anemia. Research shows anemia is often linked to deficiencies in B6, B9, and B12. Consult a pediatrician for childhood anemia symptoms. (1)

Skin problems: Clinical symptoms of severe vitamin B6 deficiency include several skin problems. Many studies have revealed that dermatitis (skin irritation), glossitis (inflammation of the tongue), and cheilosis (cracking and scaling of lip and mouth corners) are common responses to vitamin B6 deficiency. (1)

How Much Vitamin B6 do Your Kids Need per day?

Recommended dosage for vitamin B6 is provided in the Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) made by the Food and Nutrition Board (FNB). DRI defines the optimal amount of nutrients that a person requires per day.

As a parent, you might also be asking, "How much vitamin B6 should I take daily?" The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of vitamin B6 is broken down into daily amounts for both children and adults below: (1)

Age	Recommended Daily Amount in Milligrams (mg)
0-6 months	0.1 mg
7-12 months	0.3 mg
1-3 years	0.5 mg
4-8 years	0.6 mg
9-13 years	1 mg*
14-18 years	1.3 mg (males)/1.2 mg (females)*
19-50 years	1.3 mg*
51+ years	1/7 mg (males)/1.5 mg (females)*

*Amounts may vary for individuals who are pregnant and lactating

Should you Give Vitamin B6 Supplements to Your Child?

Vitamin B6 can be obtained from food, but supplements are a good option for children with dietary restrictions, poor diets, or deficiencies because of other conditions. Vitamin B6 supplements are available in the form of capsules, liquid, and tablets. The absorption of B6 from supplements is similar to that from dietary sources. In the United States, about 28 to 36% of the population uses vitamin B6 supplements to meet their nutritional needs. It is always recommended that you consult with your physician before administering supplements to your child.

Foods With Vitamin B6: Vitamin B6 is found in foods like potatoes, fish, beef, poultry, starchy vegetables, and organ meats. In the U.S., it's commonly obtained from beef, fortified cereals, non-citrus fruits, and starchy vegetables. A mixed diet can provide up to 75% of the daily recommended intake.

Below are several foods that contain a healthy amount of Vitamin B6. (1)

Food Name	Serving size	Milligrams (mg) per serving
Chickpeas, canned	1 cup	1.1
Beef liver, pan fried	3 oz	0.9
Tuna, fresh, cooked	3 oz	0.9
Salmon, cooked	3 oz	0.6
Chicken breast, roasted	3 oz	0.5
Fortified breakfast cereal	1 small bowl	0.4
Potatoes, boiled	1 cup	0.4
Turkey meat, roasted	3 oz	0.4
Lean ground meat	3 oz	0.3
Frozen waffles, toasted	1 waffle	0.3
Squash, baked	1/2 cup	0.2
Tofu, raw	1/2 cup	0.1

Risks and Side Effects of Pyridoxine

"Moderation in all things" rings true with most nutrients. The maximum daily intake of vitamin B6 for children is suggested as follows: (1)

Age	Maximum daily intake in milligrams (mg)
1-3 years	30 mg
4-8 years	40 mg
9-13 years	60 mg

Excessive vitamin B6 can cause side effects like diarrhea, nausea, headache, and stomach pain. Intakes above 500mg can be unsafe, and intravenous B6 is not FDA-approved. Injections may cause muscle damage. Taking a regulated multivitamin or B6 supplement is the safest way to meet your needs.

Excessive vitamin B6 use can cause Ataxia (loss of muscle control and coordination), skin lesions, numbness, photosensitivity (sensitivity to sunlight), and nausea. It's important to follow the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for your child's age to avoid these side effects. Consult a doctor to ensure proper supplementation. (1)

Summary

Vitamin B6 is a vital B-complex vitamin that supports brain health, heart health, immune function, stress management, mood regulation, and sleep. A deficiency can lead to skin issues, weakness, and irritability.

Vitamin B6 is found in foods like beef, fish, bananas, potatoes, poultry, nuts, beans, and whole grains. Supplementing with B6 or gummy multivitamins can help ensure your child gets enough. Consult a healthcare professional to establish the right dietary routine and avoid excess intake.

References

Disclaimer: The content of this blog post is intended for informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should not use this information for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication or other treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider before taking any medication or nutritional, herbal or homeopathic supplement and with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

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