Effect of Iron Supplementation in Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Iron Deficiency: A Randomized Controlled Trial

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#adolescent #attention-deficit-disorder-with-hyperactivity #child #dietary-supplements #humans

Effect of Iron Supplementation in Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Iron Deficiency: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Pongpitakdamrong et al., Unknown | J Dev Behav Pediatr | Rct

Citation

Pongpitakdamrong Atcha, Chirdkiatgumchai Vilawan, ... Udomsubpayakul Umaporn. Effect of Iron Supplementation in Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Iron Deficiency: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Dev Behav Pediatr. ;43(2):80-86. doi:10.1097/DBP.0000000000000993

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effectiveness of combined iron supplementation and methylphenidate treatment on attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in children/adolescents with ADHD and iron deficiency compared with methylphenidate alone. METHODS: In total, 116 children/adolescents with ADHD were screened for iron deficiency. Participants who exhibited iron deficiency were randomized into 2 groups (ferrous supplementation vs placebo). Vanderbilt ADHD rating scales were completed by parents and teachers at prestudy and poststudy periods. Student's t tests were used to determine improvements of Vanderbilt scores between the groups. RESULTS: Among 116 children who participated in this study, 44.8% (52/116) met the criteria for iron deficiency. Of the total 52 participants with iron deficiency, 26 were randomized to the ferrous group and 26 to the placebo group. Most participants in each group had been prescribed short-acting methylphenidate twice daily in the morning and at noon. After a 12-week study period, total parents' Vanderbilt ADHD symptom scores showed a significant improvement between the groups (mean decrement = -3.96 ± 6.79 vs 0 ± 6.54, p = 0.037). However, teachers' Vanderbilt ADHD symptom scores showed no difference between the groups. CONCLUSION: Children with ADHD and iron deficiency being on methylphenidate and iron supplementation had shown improvement of ADHD symptoms that were reported by parents.

Key Findings

Among 116 children who participated in this study, 44.8% (52/116) met the criteria for iron deficiency. Of the total 52 participants with iron deficiency, 26 were randomized to the ferrous group and 26 to the placebo group. Most participants in each group had been prescribed short-acting methylphenidate twice daily in the morning and at noon. After a 12-week study period, total parents' Vanderbilt ADHD symptom scores showed a significant improvement between the groups (mean decrement = -3.96 ± 6

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size 52
Age Range See abstract
Condition deficiency

MeSH Terms

  • Adolescent
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity
  • Child
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Humans
  • Iron
  • Iron Deficiencies
  • Methylphenidate

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Rct
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Vertical: iron-cognition

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09