Vitamin D Status of Children With Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common neuropsychiatric disorder, but its pathophysiology remains unclear. Vitamin D deficiency may increase risk for ADHD. A review of the literature was conducted to evaluate the vitamin D status of children with ADHD. Most of the evidence suggests that children with ADHD have significantly lower vitamin D levels than children without ADHD. Supplementation may help treat ADHD symptoms, but some investigators concluded that children with ADHD and children without ADHD do not significantly differ in vitamin D levels. However, identifying and treating vitamin D deficiency remains important for this population.