Iron deficiency in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
BACKGROUND
Iron deficiency causes abnormal dopaminergic neurotransmission and may contribute to the physiopathology of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate iron deficiency in children with ADHD vs iron deficiency in an age- and sex-matched control group.


METHODS
Controlled group comparison study.


METHODS
Child and Adolescent Psychopathology Department in European Pediatric Hospital, Paris, France.


METHODS
Fifty-three children with ADHD aged 4 to 14 years (mean +/- SD, 9.2 +/- 2.2 years) and 27 controls (mean +/- SD, 9.5 +/- 2.8 years).


METHODS
Serum ferritin levels evaluating iron stores and Conners' Parent Rating Scale scores measuring severity of ADHD symptoms have been obtained.


RESULTS
The mean serum ferritin levels were lower in the children with ADHD (mean +/- SD, 23 +/- 13 ng/mL) than in the controls (mean +/- SD, 44 +/- 22 ng/mL; P < .001). Serum ferritin levels were abnormal (<30 ng/mL) in 84% of children with ADHD and 18% of controls (P < .001). In addition, low serum ferritin levels were correlated with more severe general ADHD symptoms measured with Conners' Parent Rating Scale (Pearson correlation coefficient, r = -0.34; P < .02) and greater cognitive deficits (r = -0.38; P < .01).


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that low iron stores contribute to ADHD and that ADHD children may benefit from iron supplementation.
Konofal
Eric
E
Service de Psychopathologie de l'Enfant et de l'Adolescent, Hôpital Robert Debré, Paris, France. eric.konofal@rdb.ap-hop-paris.fr
Lecendreux
Michel
M
Arnulf
Isabelle
I
Mouren
Marie-Christine
MC
D000293:Adolescent; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D000090463:Iron Deficiencies; D008297:Male
D005293:Ferritins