The diet and growth of children reared on vegetarian diets are reviewed. Restricted energy intake, impaired growth, and vitamin B12 deficiency can result from vegan and vegetarian diets of young children. Providing these pitfalls are avoided, the growth and development of children reared on these diets seem normal. These diets often contain a high ratio of linoleic/linolenic acid, which, when coupled with negligible intakes of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), leads to low levels of DHA in blood and tissues. In view of the important role of DHA in the normal functioning of brain and retina, it would be prudent to advise vegetarians to use oils with a lower ratio of linoleic/linolenic acid, such as soybean or canola oil.