Iron Deficiency Contributes to ADHD 32243

Iron Deficiency Contributes to ADHD

PARIS--Iron deficiency has been found in past studies to cause abnormal dopaminergic neurotransmission and may contribute to the physiopathology of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In a recent study, published in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (158, 12:1113-15, 2004), researchers evaluated the effects of iron deficiency in children diagnosed with ADHD versus iron deficiency in an age- and sex-matched control group.

In the controlled group comparison study, 53 children with ADHD, aged 4 to 14 years, and 27 controls were evaluated for serum ferritin levels to examine iron stores. Conners Parent Rating Scale (CPRS) scores were used to measure severity of ADHD symptoms. Mean serum ferritin levels were lower in the children with ADHD than in the controls, and serum ferritin levels were found to be abnormal in 84 percent of children with ADHD and 18 percent of controls. Moreover, low serum ferritin levels correlated with more severe general ADHD symptoms as measured with CPRS, and greater cognitive deficits.

The researchers concluded ADHD-diagnosed children may benefit from iron supplementation because low iron stores contribute to ADHD.