Baby Safety / Compounds / Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3)

Is Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) safe for babies and kids?

Moderate risk for kids

Infants are more vulnerable to Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) than children or adults due to immature hepatic/renal clearance, higher intake-to-body-weight ratio, rapid organ development, and increased gastrointestinal absorption.

What is cholecalciferol (vitamin d3)?

The IUPAC name is (1S,3Z)-3-[(2E)-2-[(1R,3aS,7aR)-7a-methyl-1-[(2R)-6-methylheptan-2-yl]-2,3,3a,5,6,7-hexahydro-1H-inden-4-ylidene]ethylidene]-4-methylidenecyclohexan-1-ol.

Also known as: (1S,3Z)-3-[(2E)-2-[(1R,3aS,7aR)-7a-methyl-1-[(2R)-6-methylheptan-2-yl]-2,3,3a,5,6,7-hexahydro-1H-inden-4-ylidene]ethylidene]-4-methylidenecyclohexan-1-ol, Vitamin D3, cholecalciferol, Colecalciferol.

IUPAC name
(1S,3Z)-3-[(2E)-2-[(1R,3aS,7aR)-7a-methyl-1-[(2R)-6-methylheptan-2-yl]-2,3,3a,5,6,7-hexahydro-1H-inden-4-ylidene]ethylidene]-4-methylidenecyclohexan-1-ol
CAS number
67-97-0
Molecular formula
C27H44O
Molecular weight
384.6 g/mol
SMILES
CC(C)CCCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCCC2=CC=C3CC(CCC3=C)O)C
PubChem CID
5280795

Risk for babies

Moderate risk

Infants are more vulnerable to Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) than children or adults due to immature hepatic/renal clearance, higher intake-to-body-weight ratio, rapid organ development, and increased gastrointestinal absorption.

Neonates and infants up to 12 months have incomplete blood-brain barrier development, immature Phase I/II metabolic enzymes (particularly CYP3A4, UGT1A1), and higher gastrointestinal permeability. Equivalent doses produce higher internal concentrations and longer residence times.

What to do: Minimize infant exposure through source control. For breastfeeding mothers: reduce maternal exposure. For formula-fed infants: use certified low-migration bottles and verified water sources. Consult pediatrician regarding any concerns.

Risk for pregnant and nursing people

Context-dependent

Pregnancy alters the metabolism and distribution of Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3), potentially increasing fetal exposure. The developing embryo/fetus is vulnerable during organogenesis (weeks 3-8) and neurological development. Placental transfer should be assumed.

No specific reproductive toxicity data identified, but pregnancy-specific safety data is limited for most chemicals. Precautionary minimization of exposure is recommended.

What to do: Minimize exposure during pregnancy and lactation. Consult healthcare provider regarding specific risks. Consider alternative products with lower hazard profiles.

Regulatory consensus

3 regulatory and scientific bodies have classified Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3). The classifications differ — that's the data.

AgencyYearClassificationNotes
EPA CTX / Genetox—Genotoxicity: positive (Ames: positive, 5 positive / 1 negative reports)
EPA CTX / Genetox—Genotoxicity: positive (Ames: positive, 5 positive / 1 negative reports)
EPA CTX / Skin-Eye—Eye Irritation: Category 6.4A (Category 2A) (score: high)

Regulators apply different standards of evidence — animal-data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds — which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. The disagreement is the data.

Where kids encounter cholecalciferol (vitamin d3)

  • Industrial Facilities — Manufacturing plants, Chemical storage areas, Waste treatment sites
  • Occupational Environments — Factories, Warehouses, Transportation vehicles
  • Consumer Products — dietary supplements, fortified foods, energy drinks

Safer alternatives

Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3):

  • Physical/mechanical pest control (IPM)
    Trade-offs: More labor-intensive. May not be sufficient for severe infestations.
    Relative cost: 1.2-2×

Frequently asked questions

Is cholecalciferol (vitamin d3) safe for kids?

Infants are more vulnerable to Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) than children or adults due to immature hepatic/renal clearance, higher intake-to-body-weight ratio, rapid organ development, and increased gastrointestinal absorption.

What products contain cholecalciferol (vitamin d3)?

Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) appears in: Manufacturing plants (Industrial facilities); Chemical storage areas (Industrial facilities); Factories (Occupational environments); Warehouses (Occupational environments); dietary supplements (Consumer products).

What should I do if my child is exposed to cholecalciferol (vitamin d3)?

Minimize infant exposure through source control. For breastfeeding mothers: reduce maternal exposure. For formula-fed infants: use certified low-migration bottles and verified water sources. Consult pediatrician regarding any concerns.

Why do regulators disagree about cholecalciferol (vitamin d3)?

Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) has been classified by 3 agencies including EPA CTX / Genetox, EPA CTX / Genetox, EPA CTX / Skin-Eye, with differing conclusions. Regulators apply different standards of evidence (animal data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds), which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. See the regulatory consensus table on this page for the full picture.

See Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) in the baby app

Look up products containing cholecalciferol (vitamin d3), compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.

Open in baby View raw API data

Sources (4)
  1. ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) Rodenticide and Supplement Toxicosis in Companion Animals (2022) — report
  2. US EPA: Cholecalciferol — Rodenticide Registration and Risk Assessment (1998) — regulatory
  3. Brooks W: Vitamin D Toxicosis (Cholecalciferol Rodenticide). Veterinary Partner — Hypercalcemia Mechanism and Bisphosphonate Treatment (2008) — report
  4. WHO: Vitamin D — Requirements and Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (Joint FAO/WHO Expert Consultation) (2004) — regulatory

Reference data, not professional advice. Aggregates publicly available regulatory and scientific data; not a substitute for veterinary, medical, legal, or regulatory advice. Why we built ALETHEIA →