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Event Related Potentials (ERPs) and other EEG Based Methods for Extracting Biomarkers of Brain Dysfunction: Examples from Pediatric Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
10:02

Event Related Potentials (ERPs) and other EEG Based Methods for Extracting Biomarkers of Brain Dysfunction: Examples from Pediatric Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Published on: March 12, 2020

Sleep disturbances and serum ferritin levels in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Samuele Cortese1, Eric Konofal, Bernardo Dalla Bernardina

  • 1AP-HP, Child and Adolescent Psychopathology Unit, Robert Debré Hospital, Paris VII University, Paris, France. samuele.cortese@gmail.com

European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
|February 12, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and low serum ferritin levels (<45 microg/l) show higher risks for sleep disturbances, particularly sleep-wake transition disorders with abnormal movements. Further research may explore iron supplementation for these symptoms.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Nutritional Psychiatry

Background:

  • Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is frequently associated with sleep disturbances in children.
  • Iron deficiency is a potential factor in ADHD pathophysiology, but its link to sleep issues remains unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between serum ferritin levels and parent-reported sleep disturbances in children diagnosed with ADHD.

Main Methods:

  • Sixty-eight children (6-14 years) with ADHD underwent diagnosis using the Kiddie-SADS-PL.
  • Parents completed the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC) and Conners Parent Rating Scale (CPRS).
  • Serum ferritin levels were measured using the Tinaquant method.

Main Results:

  • Children with serum ferritin <45 microg/l exhibited significantly higher scores for sleep-wake transition disorders (SWTD), including abnormal sleep movements.
  • These children also showed higher scores on the CPRS-ADHD index.
  • Serum ferritin levels were inversely correlated with SWTD scores (P=0.043).

Conclusions:

  • Lower serum ferritin levels (<45 microg/l) may signal an increased risk for sleep-wake transition disorders and abnormal sleep movements in children with ADHD.
  • These findings, based on parent reports, warrant further investigation using actigraphy and polysomnography.
  • Future research could explore iron supplementation's efficacy for managing sleep motor abnormalities in ADHD.
Abstract

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