Serum ferritin in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): A systematic review and meta-analysis.

PLoS OneOct 5, 2026 (epub)
Clinical ResearchPediatricsPsychiatry

Solomon Gedfie, Muluken Gashaw, Abebe Adisu et al.

✦ AI-curated · Sources linked

In 30 seconds

This systematic review and meta-analysis examined serum ferritin levels in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) compared to healthy controls. Analyzing 21 studies with 4,058 ADHD cases and 4,533 controls, the study found a pooled mean difference of -9.74 in serum ferritin levels, indicating lower levels in children with ADHD.

Key findings

  • The pooled mean difference in serum ferritin levels was -9.74 (95% CI: -16.50, -2.98).
  • Subgroup analysis showed the highest mean difference in Africa at -19.28 (95% CI: -40.73, 2.17).
  • Studies published after 2016 had a pooled mean difference of -19.43 (95% CI: -34.37, -4.49).
  • Case-control studies yielded a pooled mean difference of -1.95 (95% CI: -2.31, -1.59).

Why it matters

Understanding the association between serum ferritin levels and ADHD can inform screening practices and potential interventions. Clinicians may consider evaluating iron status in children diagnosed with ADHD to address possible deficiencies.

Source

PubMed · PMID 42832553

Published in PLoS One. This summary was written by xxcode from the publication's abstract and metadata. It is not peer reviewed and is not a substitute for the original article. For clinical decisions, review the original publication.

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