Effects of iron supplementation on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children
Eric Konofal1, Michel Lecendreux, Juliette Deron
1Hôpital Robert Debré, Service de Psychopathologie de l'Enfant et de l'Adolescent, Paris, France. eric.konofal@rdb.aphp.fr
Insights
Iron supplementation significantly improved attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in children with low ferritin levels. This suggests iron may be a viable treatment option for pediatric ADHD when deficiency is present.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Nutritional Psychiatry
Background:
- Iron deficiency is a potential factor in childhood attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
- Previous research suggests a link between low iron levels and ADHD symptoms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of iron supplementation in treating ADHD symptoms in children.
- To determine if correcting low iron levels can alleviate ADHD in pediatric patients.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 23 children (aged 5-8) meeting DSM-IV ADHD criteria and having serum ferritin <30 ng/mL.
- Participants received either oral iron (80 mg/day) or placebo for 12 weeks.
- ADHD symptoms were assessed using the ADHD Rating Scale, Conners' Parent and Teacher Rating Scales, and Clinical Global Impression-Severity.
Main Results:
- Significant reduction in ADHD Rating Scale scores observed in the iron group (P < 0.008) but not placebo.
- Clinical Global Impression-Severity scores significantly decreased with iron supplementation (P < 0.01).
- Conners' Scale improvements approached significance (P = 0.055-0.076) with iron therapy.
Conclusions:
- Oral iron supplementation (80 mg/day) shows promise in improving ADHD symptoms in children with low ferritin levels.
- Iron therapy was well-tolerated and may offer an alternative to stimulant medications.
- Further large-scale controlled trials are warranted to confirm these findings.
Abstract:
Iron deficiency has been suggested as a possible contributing cause of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. This present study examined the effects of iron supplementation on ADHD in children. Twenty-three nonanemic children (aged 5-8 years) with serum ferritin levels <30 ng/mL who met DSM-IV criteria for ADHD were randomized (3:1 ratio) to either oral iron (ferrous sulfate, 80 mg/day, n = 18) or placebo (n = 5) for 12 weeks. There was a progressive significant decrease in the ADHD Rating Scale after 12 weeks on iron (-11.0 +/- 13.9; P < 0.008), but not on placebo (3.0 +/- 5.7; P = 0.308). Improvement on Conners' Parent Rating Scale (P = 0.055) and Conners' Teacher Rating Scale (P = 0.076) with iron supplementation therapy failed to reach significance. The mean Clinical Global Impression-Severity significantly decreased at 12 weeks (P < 0.01) with iron, without change in the placebo group. Iron supplementation (80 mg/day) appeared to improve ADHD symptoms in children with low serum ferritin levels suggesting a need for future investigations with larger controlled trials. Iron therapy was well tolerated and effectiveness is comparable to stimulants.
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