SERUM ZINC LEVEL AMONG CHILDREN WITH ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER By

Abstract

Background: Zinc deficiency causes abnormal dopaminergic neurotransmission and may contribute to the physiopathology of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder is an early-onset, clinically heterogenous disorder of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness. The diagnosis and treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder continues to raise controversy, and, there is also an increase in treatment options. Therefore, we aim to assess serum zinc level among children with ADHD. Methods: This was a case control cross sectional study, in which 100 ADHD children were recruited from Bab Elsharya outpatient pediatric psychiatry clinic and compared with 40 healthy control children in the period between May 2017 and May 2018. Serum zinc level was assessed with atomic absorption in both groups. Psychometric procedure: The Arabic version of Conners’ Parent Rating Scale-Revised-Long version, and social score were used to calculate social standards of families. Results: The mean serum zinc levels were lower in the children with ADHD (mean ± SD, 75 ± 19 ug/dL) than in the controls (mean ± SD, 112 ± 15 ug/dL; P < .001). Serum zinc levels were less than ( Conclusion: This study brings additional information about the role of zinc in the etiology of ADHD. The study indicated that ADHD patients has significant decrease in serum zinc level in comparison to the controls, however there was no significant correlation between serum zinc level and symptoms of ADHD, mostly due to the multi-factorial nature of its etiology. Recommendations: serum zinc level should become a routine measurement in ADHD children which might benefit from a therapeutic trial with zinc supplementation. Furthur studies are required to assess the effectiveness of zinc administration in the management of ADHD children.