Vitamin D Deficiency in Patients with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Jamal Alruwaili *
Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Northern Border University, Arar-91431, Saudi Arabia.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to investigate the connection between childhood Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and the level of Vitamin D in the blood.
Materials and Methods: The study was undertaken in 2018 on children in the age group of 4-13 years. Twenty two children diagnosed with ADHD were selected, along with a control group comprising twenty two healthy children showing no symptoms of ADHD or any other neurological disorder or liver or kidney disease or any endocrine problem. Anyone using Vitamin D supplements was excluded from the study. Venous blood samples were acquired from the subjects and serum Vitamin D level was measured.
Results: The mean average level of Vitamin D in the research subjects exhibiting ADHD (18.60±6.33 ng/ml) was found to be lower than the control group (34.34±8.19) (P-value < 0.0005).
Conclusions: This study has shed some light on the role played by Vitamin D in maintaining the antioxidant status of the brain. The study has shown that the Vitamin D is much lower in children diagnosed with ADHD. Vitamin D increases the expression of the enzyme, Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase (GGT). This enzyme is involved in the metabolism of Glutathione, which is considered an important antioxidant in the brain.
Keywords: ADHD, glutathione, neurological disorder, Vitamin D