Abstract :
Background: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is one of the most common neurobehavioral disorders of childhood. The objectives of the study were to evaluate the status of iron stores in children with ADHD and to investigate a possible correlation between serum ferritin levels and severity of ADHD.
Materials and Methods: 60 children aged 3-12 years of age who were diagnosed to have ADHD as per the ICD 10 research Criteria for Hyperkinetic Disorder, were included in this study. After obtaining written informed consent from the child’s guardian, severity score of ADHD was determined using Conner’s Parent Rating Scale(CPRS), and blood investigations including Hb, PCV, blood indices, RDW, and serum ferritin were sent and results were statistically analysed
Results: Serum ferritin levels were between 15-30 ng/ml in 16 children (26.7%) and more than 30 in 44 children (73.3%). The CPRS severity scores were found to be higher among children belonging to the combined (72.7%) and hyperactive (59.4%) categories than among those belonging to the inattentive category (23.5%). The haemoglobin level was found to be low as per the WHO standards in only 3 out of the 60 children studied. All 3 children with Hb
Conclusions: The iron status in children with ADHD in our study was not suggestive of iron deficiency. Iron deficiency probably occurs in a subset of children with ADHD and illy found. The study also did not find any significant correlation between serum ferritin levels and the severity scores of ADHD on CPRS.
Keyword :
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Serum ferritin, Hyperactivity, Impulsivity