Effectiveness of iron supplementation in a young child with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Eric Konofal1, Samuele Cortese, Michel Lecendreux
1Service de Psychopathologie de l'Enfant et de l'Adolescent, Hôpital Robert Debré, Paris, France. eric.konofal@rdb.ap-hop-paris.fr
Insights
Iron supplementation significantly improved ADHD symptoms in a young child with low ferritin levels. This case study highlights the potential benefits of addressing iron deficiency in pediatric attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Nutritional Psychiatry
Background:
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder in children.
- Iron deficiency is increasingly recognized as a potential contributing factor to ADHD symptoms.
Observation:
- A 3-year-old child diagnosed with ADHD presented with hyperactivity, inattention, impulsivity, and sleep disturbances.
- Baseline assessment revealed low serum ferritin levels (13 ng/mL) and high scores on Conners' Parent and Teacher Rating Scales.
Findings:
- After 8 months of iron supplementation (ferrous sulfate 80 mg/day), serum ferritin levels normalized to 102 ng/mL.
- Significant improvements in behavior were reported by parents and teachers, with Conners' scale scores decreasing substantially.
- This case demonstrates a positive response to iron treatment in a child with ADHD and iron deficiency.
Implications:
- Iron supplementation may be a viable therapeutic option for children with ADHD and confirmed iron deficiency.
- Further research is warranted to explore the efficacy and mechanisms of iron treatment in pediatric ADHD.
- Addressing nutritional deficiencies like iron could offer a complementary approach to managing ADHD symptoms.
Abstract:
A 3-year-old child was referred to consultation for hyperactivity, attention deficit, impulsivity, and sleep problems. He met Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition criteria for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. At baseline, the Conners' Parent Rating Scale and the Conners' Teacher Rating Scale raw total scores were 30 and 32, respectively. The child had low a serum ferritin level (13 ng/mL). After 8 months of treatment with Tardyferon (ferrous sulfate, 80 mg/day), his serum ferritin increased to 102 ng/mL. Both parents and teachers reported considerable behavioral improvement. The Conners' Parent and Teacher Rating Scale raw total scores decreased to 19 and 13, respectively. This is the first report of the effectiveness of iron supplementation in a young child with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
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