Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder treated by weekly 50,000 IU of vitamin D – RCT Nov 2018

Effect of vitamin D treatment in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.

World J Pediatr. 2018 Nov 19. doi: 10.1007/s12519-018-0209-8. [Epub ahead of print]

PDF is available free at Sci-Hub  10.1007/s12519-018-0209-8

Dehbokri N1,2, Noorazar G3, Ghaffari A4, Mehdizadeh G1,2, Sarbakhsh P5, Ghaffary S6.
1 Faculty of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
2 Department of Pharmacotherapy, Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
3 Research Center of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
4 Pediatrics Health Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
5 Road Traffic Injury Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
6 Department of Pharmacotherapy, Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. ghaffarys at tbzmed.ac.ir.

BACKGROUND:
In this research the symptom improvement of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) of children was assessed by oral vitamin D administration in Tabriz, Iran.

METHODS:
In this double-blind, randomized clinical trials, 96 children (2-18 years) were enrolled to placebo and vitamin D groups. Children took vitamin D pearl (50,000 IU/week) or placebo for 6 weeks. Children, who had the change in methylphenidate dosage and received any anticonvulsants and corticosteroids were excluded from the research.
ADHD symptoms were diagnosed by Conners parent rating scale (CPRS) test at baseline and after intervention. ADHD Conners divided into

• inattention (IA),
• hyperactivity/impulsivity (H/I) and
• combination type (C) subscales.

Vitamin D serum level was assessed at baseline and after 8 weeks in both groups.

RESULTS:
The differences between CPRS and its subscales were not significant at baseline (P > 0.05). The Conners IA score was decreased in vitamin D group (P < 0.05; adjusted with age and baseline values). ADHD Conners and all subscale scores reduced remarkably after intervention in patients with insufficient level of vitamin D compared to placebo (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS:
Oral vitamin D improved ADHD symptoms with a particular effect on inattention symptoms. In addition, symptoms related to all subscales were improved remarkably in patients with insufficient level of vitamin D. Vitamin D treatment in children with ADHD could be considered due to the expand benefit of vitamin D in body.