Konofal E, Lecendreux M, Arnulf I, et al: Iron deficiency in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2004:158(12):1113-1115.
This small, controlled study compared serum ferritin levels on 53 children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms and 27 controls with no ADHD symptoms. The children ranged in age between 4 and 14 years, and came from the same school district. ADHD symptoms were measured using the Connors' Parent Rating Scale and serum ferritin levels, blood hemoglobin, hematocrit, and iron levels were measured in all the children. The serum ferritin levels were twice as low in the children with ADHD than the controls, while the serum iron, hemoglobin, and hematocrit levels remained within normal ranges for both sets of children. Studies suggest that ADHD may be caused by dopamine dysfunction, and iron is a coenzyme of dopamine synthesis. The authors suggest iron supplementation might improve central dopaminergic activity in children with ADHD, thereby decreasing the need for stimulant medication.