Do children's multivitamin supplements have too much manganese?

What's actually in it

Manganese is an essential mineral. Children need it. But too much manganese is neurotoxic. It accumulates in the brain, particularly in the basal ganglia, and disrupts dopamine signaling. High manganese exposure in children is linked to lower IQ, attention problems, and motor skill impairments.

Children get manganese from food. Adding a supplement with manganese on top of dietary intake can push total intake above what developing brains can safely handle.

What the research says

A 2026 study in PLoS One analyzed manganese content in popular children's multivitamin supplements. They found excessive manganese content in multiple products, with levels that could raise a child's daily intake above thresholds associated with neurodevelopmental risk. The study flagged the potential for harm especially in children already getting adequate manganese from a balanced diet.

Check the label. If a children's multivitamin contains manganese, look at how much and whether your child's diet already provides plenty. Vitamin D, iron (if deficient), and iodine are typically the nutrients that matter most to supplement in children. Manganese is rarely the gap.

For children's clothing and bedding, choose organic cotton baby gear that minimizes chemical exposures in other areas of daily life.