Relationship between serum vitamin D and iron level in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder

Abstract

Objectives The aim of this study was to determine the association between iron, ferritin, and vitamin D deficiency with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and the effect of their deficiency on the development of ADHD in children. Background ADHD is one of the most prevalent mental health disorders. It has been reported that iron, ferritin, and vitamin D deficiency may be related to the pathophysiology of ADHD. Patients and methods Our study includes 60 children with ADHD aged 3–18 years and 20 controls aged 3–18 years. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected. The health status of the patients was assessed by symptoms and clinical presentations, family history, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed. (DSM-V), and laboratory investigations, including serum level of iron, ferritin, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Result Mean age (SD in years) for ADHD and control children was (7.13 ± 1.89 vs. 7.95 ± 1.84). There were statistically significant differences between ADHD versus control children for serum iron (44.05 ± 25.28 vs. 91.15 ± 33.83 μg/dl), ferritin (15.76 ± 18.06 vs. 98.2 ± 52.37 ng/ml), and vitamin D (13.1 ± 5.66 vs. 32.9 ± 9.12 ng/ml). There were many factors that were sought to be associated with increased risk of developing ADHD. Conclusion The study indicates that low serum iron, ferritin, and vitamin D deficiency may be related to ADHD pathophysiology.