Iron Deficiency and Restless Sleep/Wake Behaviors in Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Mental Health Conditions

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#humans #female #male #child #restless-legs-syndrome

Iron Deficiency and Restless Sleep/Wake Behaviors in Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Mental Health Conditions

Ipsiroglu et al., 2024 | Nutrients | Other

Citation

Ipsiroglu Osman S, Pandher Parveer K, ... Wensley David. Iron Deficiency and Restless Sleep/Wake Behaviors in Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Mental Health Conditions. Nutrients. 2024-Sep-11;16(18). doi:10.3390/nu16183064

Abstract

Iron deficiency (ID) and restlessness are associated with sleep/wake-disorders (e.g., restless legs syndrome (RLS)) and neurodevelopmental disorders (attention deficit/hyperactivity and autism spectrum disorders (ADHD; ASD)). However, a standardized approach to assessing ID and restlessness is missing. We reviewed iron status and family sleep/ID history data collected at a sleep/wake behavior clinic under a quality improvement/quality assurance project. Restlessness was explored through patient and parental narratives and a 'suggested clinical immobilization test'. Of 199 patients, 94% had ID, with 43% having a family history of ID. ADHD (46%) and ASD (45%) were common conditions, along with chronic insomnia (61%), sleep-disordered breathing (50%), and parasomnias (22%). In unadjusted analysis, a family history of ID increased the odds (95% CI) of familial RLS (OR: 5.98, p = 0.0002, [2.35-15.2]), insomnia/DIMS (OR: 3.44, p = 0.0084, [1.37-8.64]), and RLS (OR: 7.00, p = 0.01, [1.49-32.93]) in patients with ADHD, and of insomnia/DIMS (OR: 4.77, p = 0.0014, [1.82-12.5]), RLS/PLMS (OR: 5.83, p = 0.009, [1.54-22.1]), RLS (OR: 4.05, p = 0.01, [1.33-12.3]), and familial RLS (OR: 2.82, p = 0.02, [1.17-6.81]) in patients with ASD. ID and restlessness were characteristics of ADHD and ASD, and a family history of ID increased the risk of sleep/wake-disorders. These findings highlight the need to integrate comprehensive blood work and family history to capture ID in children and adolescents with restless behaviors.

Key Findings

These findings highlight the need to integrate comprehensive blood work and family history to capture ID in children and adolescents with restless behaviors.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population adhd
Sample Size 199
Age Range See abstract
Condition insomnia

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Female
  • Male
  • Child
  • Restless Legs Syndrome
  • Adolescent
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • Neurodevelopmental Disorders
  • Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders
  • Child, Preschool
  • Anemia, Iron-Deficiency
  • Iron Deficiencies
  • Mental Health

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Other
  • Publication Types: Journal Article
  • Vertical: iron-restless-leg

Provenance

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