title: Iron deficiency in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Several studies have suggested that iron deficiency may be related to the pathophysiology of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) due to the role of iron in the production of dopamine and noradrenaline.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the status of iron deficiency in ADHD children, using ferritin levels, a reliable measure of iron storage in body tissue, as an iron status marker, and to investigate a possible correlation between ferritin levels and the diagnosis of ADHD.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study group included 113 newly referred ADHD children aged 5-15 years (mean age 8.8 +/- 2.7).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ferritin levels were below 20 ng/ml in 67 children (59%) and above 20 ng/ml in 46 (41%). There was a very low inverse statistical correlation between scores on Conners' Rating Scale and ferritin levels, probably without clinical significance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings suggest that low iron stores may be related to ADHD pathophysiology; therefore, ferritin should be included in the overall evaluation of children with ADHD.
authors: Pediatric Neurology Unit, Asaf Harofeh Medical Center, Zerifin, Israel. elahat@asaf.health.gov.il
authors: Eli
authors: E
authors: Lahat
authors: Eli
authors: E
authors: Heyman
authors: Amir
authors: A
authors: Livne
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Goldman
authors: Matitiahu
authors: M
authors: Berkovitch
authors: Ditza
authors: D
authors: Zachor
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications*; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D005293:Ferritins