Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To analyze the risks and benefits of vegetarian and vegan diet in child development, showing possible nutritional deficits and how to manage them. METHODS: This is a current narrative review, related to vegetarian and vegan diets in children and their repercussions on development, searched in MEDLINE®, PubMed® and SciELO databases, using the keywords “vegetarian diet”, “vegan diet”, “child development”. RESULTS: Despite vegetarian and vegan diets presents risks due to deficit of nutrients involved in vital biological functions, a diet based on vegetables provides clinical benefits, such as a lower incidence of cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes. Vegan women who desire to become pregnant should have a well-planned and balanced diet. Breastfeeding is the ideal way and the first option to feed vegetarian/vegan babies; however, if exists an impossibility, there are soy-based formulas on the market. The first meals, at six months, should be rich in protein, iron, zinc and the vitamin B12 is the most worrying nutrient due to its participation in child’s neurological development and must be supplemented if necessary. CONCLUSION: Pediatricians should guide families, alert them about the risks and enlighten that a high-class and well-planned diet does not change child development, although requires periodic monitoring for evaluation and possible supplementation.
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