Assessment of Serum Level of Zinc and Ferritin in a Sample of Egyptian ADHD Children

Abstract

ttention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most prevalent mental health disorders that affect about 5.3–7.1 percent of children and adolescents. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-V) of the American Psychiatric Association (APA), three basic forms of ADHD are described. They are predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactive/ impulsive, and combined. There is no biological marker for ADHD. Clinical diagnosis is established according to the criteria listed in DSM-V. The etiology of ADHD is a complex association of genetic, biological, neurological and environmental factors, a considerable amount of research has been focused upon the nutritional defciencies too. Epidemiological studies show that the disorder is linked to the defciency of several micro-nutrients like zinc, magnesium, iron and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Zinc plays an important role in the structure and function of the brain, it is a very important cofactor for more than 100 enzymes and is required for modulating of melatonin and dopamine, zinc deficiency has an important role in the pathogenesis of ADHD. Iron is an essential cofactor of tyrosine hydroxylase, the rate-limiting enzyme of dopamine synthesis, it has been suggested that iron metabolism may contribute to ADHD A