Although Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is commonly diagnosed in children, the etiopathogenesis of ADHD is obscure. As low levels of vitamin D are found to be associated with many disorders, including neuropsychiatric diseases, a group of researchers decided to investigate serum vitamin D levels in pediatric ADHD patients. Participants included 60 ADHD patients and 30 healthy controls ages 7 to 18 years old. Besides serum levels of vitamin D [25(OH)D], calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were also investigated. Study results showed 25(OH)D levels were significantly lower in ADHD participants compared to the control group (20.9 ng/mL vs 34.9 ng/mL). The researcher’s results indicate an association between lower vitamin D status and ADHD in childhood and adolescence.
Goksugur SB et al. Vitamin D Status in Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Pediatr Int. 2014 Jan 13. doi; 10.111/ped. 12286 (Epub ahead of print).