The role of iron deficiency in children with attention deficit/hpyperactivity disorder

Abstract

Objective: Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder is a common neurobiological syndrome of the childhood. Iron deficiency is suggested to be an etiologic factor of Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder because of its role in the dopamine metabolism. The objective of this study is to evaluate iron deficiency in patients with Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder in comparison with healty children and to predict the severity of the symptoms on admission with reference to serum ferritin levels. Methods: Fifty children with Attention DeficitHyperactivity Disorder and fifty age and sex-matched control subjects were evaluated. Ferritin levels in both groups and their relationship with DSM-4 score were investigated. Results: The mean serum ferritin level in the patient group was 27±13.2 ng/ml which was significantly lower than the control group with a mean value of 41±26 ng/ml. In Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder group, serum ferritin levels did not correlate with the score of the disease described in DSM-4 (r=0.09; p>0.05). Conclusion: In conclusion, iron deficiency is an etiologic factor in Attention DeficitHyperactivity Disorder but the severity of the symptoms on admission did not correlate with serum ferritin levels.