Water-soluble vitamin insufficiency, deficiency and supplementation in children and adolescents with a psychiatric disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis

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#humans #child #adolescent #retrospective-studies #vitamins

Water-soluble vitamin insufficiency, deficiency and supplementation in children and adolescents with a psychiatric disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Prades et al., 2023 | Nutr Neurosci | Meta Analysis

Citation

Prades Nuria, Varela Eva, ... Baeza Inmaculada. Water-soluble vitamin insufficiency, deficiency and supplementation in children and adolescents with a psychiatric disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutr Neurosci. 2023-Feb;26(2):85-107. doi:10.1080/1028415X.2021.2020402

Abstract

Nutrition is fundamental for brain development, but relatively little is known about water-soluble vitamin (WSV) levels and the effect of supplementation on psychiatry symptoms in children and adolescents (CAD) with psychiatric disorders. Our team systematically reviewed all studies concerning WSV abnormalities or supplementation in CAD with any psychiatric disorder. We searched for original studies published between 1990 and 15/05/2020 which were not based on retrospective chart review and which included WSV blood level measurements or investigated the effect of WSV supplementation on psychiatric symptoms in psychiatric patients aged 18 or under. Forty-two articles were included, 69% of which (N = 29) examined Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), with most of these assessing folate or vitamin B12 supplementation (N = 22, 75.9% of ASD studies). Meta-analyses showed significantly lower vitamin B12 levels in ASD and ADHD patients vs. healthy controls (HC), while folate levels were higher in ADHD patients vs. HC. Most of the studies (9/10, 90%) showed a decrease in symptoms as measured by clinical scales after supplementation. There was significant heterogeneity between the studies, however many found different types of vitamin abnormalities in CAD with psychiatric disorders.

Key Findings

There was significant heterogeneity between the studies, however many found different types of vitamin abnormalities in CAD with psychiatric disorders.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size 29
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Child
  • Adolescent
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Vitamins
  • Folic Acid
  • Vitamin B 12
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Water

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review, Journal Article
  • Vertical: vitamin-b12

Provenance

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