Iron Deficiency in the Pathophysiology of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Abstract

Although attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder is one of the most studied disorders in medical literature, its etiology has not been completely elucidated. Clarification of the factors associated with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder is of significance for the curative treatment of the disorder. While literature states that iron deficiency may present a risk factor for the pathophysiology of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, the studies made on this subject so far have provided contradictory results. This article aims to analyze the studies of children and adolescents in literature made in Turkey and abroad on the levels of iron and iron-related parameters in blood, which are considered to be effective in the pathophysiology of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, compile the general characteristics of those studies and present the results. [Psikiyatride Guncel Yaklasimlar - Current Approaches in Psychiatry 2015; 7(1): 41-55]

Keywords

• Iron
• attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
• ferritin
• pathophysiology