Vitamin A (retinol) Pediatric Dose Calculator

Q: What is the vitamin A dose for children?

Measles or xerophthalmia (treatment): <6 months: 50,000 IU per dose · once daily on day 1 and day 2; 6 months to <1 year: 100,000 IU per dose · once daily on day 1 and day 2; ≥1 year: 200,000 IU per dose · once daily on day 1 and day 2. Usual duration: 2 days (+ third dose at 2–4 weeks if eye signs). Always use the child's measured weight and check the strength on the bottle.

Q: How many mL of oral solution 100,000 IU/mL (programme bottle with spoon) for an 11.8 kg child?

For measles or xerophthalmia (treatment), an 11.8 kg child (about 2 years) needs 200,000 IU per dose — 2 mL of Oral solution 100,000 IU/mL (programme bottle with spoon), once daily on day 1 and day 2. Recalculate with the child's actual weight.

Q: From what age can vitamin A be given?

Age range in PediaRx: Birth – 5 years (programme doses). Each indication can have its own age and weight limits, shown with its regimen.

Q: Is vitamin A safe in pregnancy?

Legacy FDA category X. High-dose supplements are teratogenic — never give 100,000–200,000 IU doses in pregnancy (≤10,000 IU daily only if indicated).

Age-based vitamin A dosing for children, with maximum doses, age limits and sources. Enter age and weight for the dose in IU and oral solution mL or capsules.

Category: NutritionalAges: Birth – 5 years (programme doses)Updated: 2026-09-28For: clinicians

Pediatric dosing

Measles or xerophthalmia (treatment)

<6 months: 50,000 IU per dose · once daily on day 1 and day 2

Duration: 2 days (+ third dose at 2–4 weeks if eye signs)

6 months to <1 year: 100,000 IU per dose · once daily on day 1 and day 2

Duration: 2 days (+ third dose at 2–4 weeks if eye signs)

≥1 year: 200,000 IU per dose · once daily on day 1 and day 2

Duration: 2 days (+ third dose at 2–4 weeks if eye signs)

Give to every child with measles. Xerophthalmia or measles with eye signs: a third dose 2–4 weeks later. Refer corneal ulceration urgently.

Routine prophylactic supplementation (programme)

<1 year: 100,000 IU per dose · single dose

Duration: Once

≥1 year: 200,000 IU per dose · single dose every 6 months

Duration: Every 4–6 months until 5 years

Eligibility: 6 months to <5 years

India (NHM): 1 lakh IU at 9 months with measles–rubella vaccine, then 2 lakh IU every 6 months until 5 years (9 doses). Do not repeat within 1 month of a treatment dose.

Vitamin A (retinol) dose chart by age and weight

Measles or xerophthalmia (treatment). Weights are WHO/IAP reference medians for age — always dose on the measured weight.

Computed with the PediaRx dose engine from the regimen above; caps and age limits applied.
Age	Weight	Dose (IU)	Oral solution 100,000 IU/mL (programme bottle with spoon)	Frequency
15 days	3.8 kg	50,000 IU	0.5 mL	Once daily on day 1 and day 2
1 month	4.3 kg	50,000 IU	0.5 mL	Once daily on day 1 and day 2
3 months	6.1 kg	50,000 IU	0.5 mL	Once daily on day 1 and day 2
6 months	7.6 kg	100,000 IU	1 mL	Once daily on day 1 and day 2
9 months	8.6 kg	100,000 IU	1 mL	Once daily on day 1 and day 2
1 year	9.3 kg	200,000 IU	2 mL	Once daily on day 1 and day 2
18 months	10.6 kg	200,000 IU	2 mL	Once daily on day 1 and day 2
2 years	11.8 kg	200,000 IU	2 mL	Once daily on day 1 and day 2
3 years	14.1 kg	200,000 IU	2 mL	Once daily on day 1 and day 2
4 years	16.2 kg	200,000 IU	2 mL	Once daily on day 1 and day 2
5 years	17.5 kg	200,000 IU	2 mL	Once daily on day 1 and day 2
6 years	19 kg	200,000 IU	2 mL	Once daily on day 1 and day 2
8 years	24.4 kg	200,000 IU	2 mL	Once daily on day 1 and day 2
10 years	31.1 kg	200,000 IU	2 mL	Once daily on day 1 and day 2
12 years	39.4 kg	200,000 IU	2 mL	Once daily on day 1 and day 2

Strengths in the calculator

Oral solution 100,000 IU/mL (programme bottle with spoon) (Oral) — India NHM supply: 1 mL = 1 lakh IU, 2 mL = 2 lakh IU (use the spoon supplied).
Capsule 100,000 IU (cut the tip and squeeze into the mouth) (Oral)
Capsule 200,000 IU (cut the tip and squeeze into the mouth) (Oral)

Different strength on your bottle? Use “Different strength on the bottle?” under the result.

Safety

Contraindications and cautions

Do not give a prophylactic dose within 1 month of a previous high dose (toxicity: raised intracranial pressure, bulging fontanelle, vomiting).

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Legacy FDA category X. High-dose supplements are teratogenic — never give 100,000–200,000 IU doses in pregnancy (≤10,000 IU daily only if indicated).

Compatible at usual doses.

Clinical notes

Transient vomiting or a bulging fontanelle can follow a high dose in infants and settles within 24–48 hours.

Adult and adolescent (≥40 kg) dose

High-dose vitamin A is not a routine adult treatment. Never give high doses in pregnancy.

Other names and brands

Also known as retinol, retinyl palmitate, vit a.

India: Aquasol A

Brand examples only — products and strengths vary by country. Always check the label.

Frequently asked questions

What is the vitamin A dose for children?

Measles or xerophthalmia (treatment): <6 months: 50,000 IU per dose · once daily on day 1 and day 2; 6 months to <1 year: 100,000 IU per dose · once daily on day 1 and day 2; ≥1 year: 200,000 IU per dose · once daily on day 1 and day 2. Usual duration: 2 days (+ third dose at 2–4 weeks if eye signs). Always use the child's measured weight and check the strength on the bottle.

How many mL of oral solution 100,000 IU/mL (programme bottle with spoon) for an 11.8 kg child?

For measles or xerophthalmia (treatment), an 11.8 kg child (about 2 years) needs 200,000 IU per dose — 2 mL of Oral solution 100,000 IU/mL (programme bottle with spoon), once daily on day 1 and day 2. Recalculate with the child's actual weight.

From what age can vitamin A be given?

Age range in PediaRx: Birth – 5 years (programme doses). Each indication can have its own age and weight limits, shown with its regimen.

Is vitamin A safe in pregnancy?

Legacy FDA category X. High-dose supplements are teratogenic — never give 100,000–200,000 IU doses in pregnancy (≤10,000 IU daily only if indicated).

Sources and editorial process

Guideline: Vitamin A supplementation in infants and children 6–59 months of age (2011) — World Health Organization
Pocket Book of Hospital Care for Children, 2nd edition (2013) — measles — World Health Organization

Dosing data last updated 2026-09-28. PediaRx is built and maintained by Dr. Shounak Pal, MBBS (Medical Officer, Government of West Bengal, India — founder and developer of PediaRx). Every regimen is encoded with explicit units, maximum doses and age/weight limits and is checked by automated tests before publication. Report an error: hello@pediarx.com.

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Clinical disclaimer: reference tool for qualified health professionals. Verify every dose against current guidance and the product label before prescribing.

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