Ferritin and hyperactivity ratings in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Pinar Oner1, Ozgur Oner, Fatih M Azik
1Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Dr Sami Ulus Children's Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
Summary
Lower ferritin levels may be linked to increased hyperactivity in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This large study found an association between lower ferritin and parent-reported hyperactivity symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pediatrics
- Nutritional Psychiatry
Background:
- Iron is essential for dopamine synthesis, a neurotransmitter implicated in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
- Ferritin, a protein that stores iron, serves as a marker for body iron levels.
- Understanding iron's role in ADHD pathophysiology is crucial for potential therapeutic interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between ferritin levels and ADHD symptom ratings.
- To assess the association between ferritin and cognitive function in children with ADHD.
- To control for potential confounding factors in a large ADHD cohort.
Main Methods:
- Included 713 children and adolescents diagnosed with ADHD (ages 7-15).
- Utilized Conners' Parent Rating Scale (CPRS) and Conners' Teacher Rating Scale (CTRS) for symptom assessment.
- Administered cognitive tests (Digit Span, Digit Symbol, Trail-making) to a subgroup to measure attention and executive functions.
Main Results:
- A significant inverse association was found between ferritin levels and the Hyperactivity score on the CPRS (B =-0.12, P < 0.01).
- No significant associations were observed between ferritin levels and other parent or teacher-reported ADHD symptoms.
- Ferritin levels did not show a significant association with the cognitive measures of attention and executive functioning.
Conclusions:
- Lower ferritin levels may be associated with parent-reported hyperactivity in children with ADHD.
- This finding, from a large cross-sectional study, suggests a potential link between iron status and hyperactivity symptoms.
- Further research is needed to establish causality and explore iron supplementation as an ADHD management strategy.
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