Effects of Iron Supplementation on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Children
Abstract
Iron deficiency has been suggested as a possible contributing cause of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. This present study examined the effects of iron supplementation on ADHD in children. Twenty-three nonanemic children (aged 5-8 years) with serum ferritin levels <30 ng/mL who met DSM-IV criteria for ADHD were randomized (3:1 ratio) to either oral iron (ferrous sulfate, 80 mg/day, n = 18) or placebo (n = 5) for 12 weeks. There was a progressive significant decrease in the ADHD Rating Scale after 12 weeks on iron (-11.0 +/- 13.9; P < 0.008), but not on placebo (3.0 +/- 5.7; P = 0.308). Improvement on Conners' Parent Rating Scale (P = 0.055) and Conners' Teacher Rating Scale (P = 0.076) with iron supplementation therapy failed to reach significance. The mean Clinical Global Impression-Severity significantly decreased at 12 weeks (P < 0.01) with iron, without change in the placebo group. Iron supplementation (80 mg/day) appeared to improve ADHD symptoms in children with low serum ferritin levels suggesting a need for future investigations with larger controlled trials. Iron therapy was well tolerated and effectiveness is comparable to stimulants.
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A small, randomized study of iron supplementation in children with ADHD detected a statistically significant reduction of ADHD symptoms.
“A small, randomized study of iron supplementation in children with ADHD detected a statistically significant reduction of ADHD symptoms (Konofal et al. 2008).”
From Associations of sleep disturbance with ADHD: implications for treatment (2015) · cites this paper as Konofal et al. 2008
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- Authors
- Konofal, E., Lecendreux, M., Deron, J., Marchand, M., Cortese, S., Zaïm, M., Mouren, M. C., & Arnulf, I.
- Affiliations
- Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris (FR)
- Hôpital Robert-Debré (FR)
- Institut de Recherche Pierre Fabre (France) (FR)
- Venue
- Pediatric Neurology
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2008-01
- Volume
- 38
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 20-26
- ISSN
- 0887-8994 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2021031709
- Cited by
- 292
- References
- 23
- Citations by year
- 2026: 14 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 18 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 18 · 2021: 16 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 11 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 13 · 2016: 15 · 2015: 12 · 2014: 24 · 2013: 17 · 2012: 22
- FWCI
- 10.27
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Pediatric Neurology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- ePrints Soton (University of Southampton) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Hematology › Iron Metabolism and Disorders
- Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Trace Elements in Health
- Keywords
- iron supplementation, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, children, iron deficiency, serum ferritin, ferrous sulfate, ADHD symptoms
- MeSH terms
- Iron Deficiencies, Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Child, Child, Preschool, Disability Evaluation, Double-Blind Method, Female, Ferritins, Ferrous Compounds, Humans, Male, Parents, Pilot Projects, Placebos, Surveys and Questionnaires, Restless Legs Syndrome, Biomarkers, Treatment Outcome, Caregivers, Dietary Supplements
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