Vitamin A

    Written by:
    Thomas Solomon, Louie Neri

    Fact-checked

    by:

    Nick Milazzo, Katie Jantz
    Last Updated: October 14, 2025

    Vitamin A describes a group of metabolites involved in cell and tissue growth, and several bodily functions, including vision, bone metabolism, and immune function. Vitamin A metabolites include preformed vitamin A — retinols, retinals, retinyl esters, and retinoic acids — and precursors (i.e., provitamin A molecules) like beta-carotene, which can be converted by the body into the other forms of vitamin A.

    Overview

    Dosage information

    Recommended intake is similar between males and females, except during lactation when vitamin A requirements are elevated. The recommended dietary allowances (RDA) are:[1][2]

    AgesRecommended daily intake
    Birth to 6 months400 micrograms (mcg, or µg)
    Infants 7–12 months500 mcg
    Children 1–3 years300 mcg
    Children 4–8 years400 mcg
    Children 9–13 years600 mcg
    Teen males 14–18 years900 mcg
    Teen females 14–18 years700 mcg
    Teen females, pregnant750 mcg
    Teen females, breastfeeding1,200 mcg
    Adult males900 mcg
    Adult females700 mcg
    Adult females, pregnant770 mcg
    Adult females, breastfeeding1,300 mcg

    Due to potential toxicity, the upper limit of total daily intake of preformed vitamin A (from food, beverages, and supplements combined) is as follows:[1][2]

    AgesUpper limit of daily intake
    Birth to 12 months600 mcg
    Children 1–3 years600 mcg
    Children 4–8 years900 mcg
    Children 9–13 years1,700 mcg
    Teens 14–18 years2,800 mcg
    Adults 19 years and older3,000 mcg

    Examine Database: Vitamin A

    Safety Information
    New

    Frequently asked questions

    Update History

    Examine Database References

    1. Hyperpigmentation - Weinstein GD, Nigra TP, Pochi PE, Savin RC, Allan A, Benik K, Jeffes E, Lufrano L, Thorne EGTopical tretinoin for treatment of photodamaged skin. A multicenter studyArch Dermatol.(1991 May)
    2. Hyperpigmentation - Griffiths CE, Goldfarb MT, Finkel LJ, Roulia V, Bonawitz M, Hamilton TA, Ellis CN, Voorhees JJTopical tretinoin (retinoic acid) treatment of hyperpigmented lesions associated with photoaging in Chinese and Japanese patients: a vehicle-controlled trialJ Am Acad Dermatol.(1994 Jan)
    3. Hyperpigmentation - Griffiths CE, Kang S, Ellis CN, Kim KJ, Finkel LJ, Ortiz-Ferrer LC, White GM, Hamilton TA, Voorhees JJTwo concentrations of topical tretinoin (retinoic acid) cause similar improvement of photoaging but different degrees of irritation. A double-blind, vehicle-controlled comparison of 0.1% and 0.025% tretinoin creamsArch Dermatol.(1995 Sep)
    4. Skin Thickness - Weiss JS, Ellis CN, Headington JT, Tincoff T, Hamilton TA, Voorhees JJTopical tretinoin improves photoaged skin. A double-blind vehicle-controlled studyJAMA.(1988 Jan 22-29)
    5. Skin Quality - Kafi R, Kwak HS, Schumacher WE, Cho S, Hanft VN, Hamilton TA, King AL, Neal JD, Varani J, Fisher GJ, Voorhees JJ, Kang SImprovement of naturally aged skin with vitamin A (retinol)Arch Dermatol.(2007 May)
    6. Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms - Sama Bitarafan, Aliakbar Saboor-Yaraghi, Mohammad-Ali Sahraian, Danesh Soltani, Shahriar Nafissi, Mansoureh Togha, Nahid Beladi Moghadam, Tina Roostaei, Niyaz Mohammadzadeh Honarvar, Mohammad-Hossein HarirchianEffect of Vitamin A Supplementation on fatigue and depression in Multiple Sclerosis patients: A Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical TrialIran J Allergy Asthma Immunol.(2016 Feb)
    7. Infant Death Risk - Darlow BA, Graham PJ, Rojas-Reyes MXVitamin A supplementation to prevent mortality and short- and long-term morbidity in very low birth weight infants.Cochrane Database Syst Rev.(2016-Aug-22)
    8. Infant Death Risk - Mayo-Wilson E, Imdad A, Herzer K, Yakoob MY, Bhutta ZAVitamin A supplements for preventing mortality, illness, and blindness in children aged under 5: systematic review and meta-analysis.BMJ.(2011-Aug-25)
    9. Infant Death Risk - Aamer Imdad, Zunirah Ahmed, Zulfiqar A BhuttaVitamin A supplementation for the prevention of morbidity and mortality in infants one to six months of ageCochrane Database Syst Rev.(2016 Sep 28)
    10. Infant Death Risk - Imdad A, Mayo-Wilson E, Haykal MR, Regan A, Sidhu J, Smith A, Bhutta ZAVitamin A supplementation for preventing morbidity and mortality in children from six months to five years of age.Cochrane Database Syst Rev.(2022-Mar-16)
    11. Infant Death Risk - Haider BA, Sharma R, Bhutta ZANeonatal vitamin A supplementation for the prevention of mortality and morbidity in term neonates in low and middle income countries.Cochrane Database Syst Rev.(2017-Feb-24)
    12. Infant Death Risk - Rakshasbhuvankar AA, Pillow JJ, Simmer KN, Patole SKVitamin A supplementation in very-preterm or very-low-birth-weight infants to prevent morbidity and mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials.Am J Clin Nutr.(2021-Dec-01)
    13. Lung Function - Phattraprayoon N, Ungtrakul T, Soonklang K, Susantitaphong POral vitamin A supplementation in preterm infants to improve health outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.PLoS One.(2022)
    14. Pneumonia Symptoms - Li Y, Zhang R, Li Z, Zhai QThe Relationship of Vitamin A and Neonatal Respiratory Diseases: A Meta-Analysis.Clin Respir J.(2024 Sep 30)