Effects of Iron Supplementation on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Children Treated with Methylphenidate
Sepehr Tohidi1, Elham Bidabadi2, Mohammad-Javad Khosousi3
1Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Guilan Universtiy of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
Insights
Iron supplementation showed promising effects in improving attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in children treated with methylphenidate. Specifically, iron improved conduct, learning, and psychosomatic subscales, suggesting a beneficial role for iron in ADHD management.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Nutritional Psychiatry
Background:
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder.
- Methylphenidate is a primary pharmacological treatment for ADHD.
- Iron deficiency is prevalent and may impact neurodevelopment and behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of iron supplementation in children with ADHD receiving methylphenidate.
- To assess the impact of iron on ADHD symptom severity.
Main Methods:
- A 12-week, double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial involving 50 children with ADHD.
- Participants had ferritin levels below 30 ng/ml and no anemia.
- Intervention groups received either ferrous sulfate or placebo, with outcomes assessed using Conners' Parent Rating Scale (CPRS).
Main Results:
- The ferrous sulfate group showed improvements in most CPRS subscales from baseline.
- Significant improvements were observed in conduct subscale scores (p = 0.003).
- Compared to placebo, iron supplementation led to significant improvements in learning problems (first 6 weeks) and conduct/psychosomatic subscales (second 6 weeks).
Conclusions:
- Iron supplementation demonstrates promising effects on improving ADHD-related symptoms.
- These findings suggest a potential adjunctive role for iron in managing ADHD, particularly in iron-deficient children on methylphenidate.
Objective:
To evaluate the effect of iron on the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, treated with methylphenidate.
Methods:
This double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed on 50 children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder under the treatment of methylphenidate, with ferritin levels below 30 ng/ml and absence of anemia. They were randomly assigned into two groups of ferrous sulfate and placebo, for 12 weeks. Conners' Parent Rating Scale (CPRS) was used to assess the outcome in the first, sixth, and twelfth weeks.
Results:
Almost all CPRS subscales improved in the ferrous sulfate group from the baseline to the endpoint, although only the changes in conduct subscale scores were significant (p = 0.003). There was no significant difference in score changes between two groups in intergroup comparison. Also, the score of learning problems (p = 0.007) in the first six weeks, and conduct (p = 0.023) and psychosomatic (p = 0.018) subscales in the second six weeks were improved in the ferrous sulfate group compared with the placebo group.
Conclusion:
Our study showed promising effects of iron supplementation in the improvement of subscales of the CPRS.
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