Iron Supplementation in Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Single Centre Study
Varun Kumar1, Monica Juneja1, Smita Kaushik2
1Department of Pediatrics, Maulana Azad Medical College and Associated Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi, India.
Insights
Iron supplementation may improve attention deficit hyperactivity disease (ADHD) symptoms in children. This study found significant reductions in inattention and hyperactivity after six weeks of iron therapy, suggesting a promising treatment avenue.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Nutritional Psychiatry
Background:
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disease (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder in children.
- Iron deficiency, indicated by low serum ferritin, is prevalent and may be linked to ADHD symptom severity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of oral iron supplementation on ADHD symptoms in children.
- To determine if iron therapy affects measures of inattention and hyperactivity.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, single-arm study involving 32 children (4-12 years) newly diagnosed with ADHD.
- Baseline assessment included hemogram, serum ferritin, neuropsychometric tests, and objective attention tests.
- Children received six weeks of oral iron therapy, followed by repeat assessments.
Main Results:
- 23 out of 32 participants had sufficient ferritin levels at baseline.
- Significant improvement was observed in the inattention and hyperactivity subscales of the Conner's Rating Scale (P=0.036).
- Children's Color Trails Test scores showed significant improvement in attention (P=0.006) after iron therapy.
Conclusions:
- Iron supplementation demonstrated promising effects on reducing ADHD symptoms in children.
- Further research is warranted to confirm these findings and explore the role of iron in ADHD management.
Objective:
To assess the effect of iron supplementation on symptoms in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disease (ADHD).
Methods:
A prospective single arm intervention study was conducted on children aged 4-12 years, newly diagnosed with ADHD, attending the child development clinic in a tertiary centre in Northern India. A baseline hemogram and serum ferritin levels were assessed in all children. ADHD symptom severity was assessed with age-appropriate neuropsychometric questionnaires, and objective tests of attention at baseline and after six weeks of oral iron therapy.
Results:
Out of 32 participants, 23 were found to be ferritin sufficient (serum ferritin > 30 ng/mL) at enrolment. There was no difference in the median scores of neuropsychometric tests at the baseline of ferritin sufficient and ferritin deficient children. A statistically significant change in median scores of inattention and hyperactivity subscale on Conner's Rating Scale (P = 0.036) as well as significant improvement on tests of attention; Children's Color Trails Test (CCTT) (P = 0.006) were observed after six weeks of iron therapy in all children.
Conclusion:
The study showed promising results of iron supplementation in the treatment of ADHD symptoms in children. Keywords: ADHD, Anemia, Inattention, Serum ferritin.
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