Association Between Asthma and Attention-deficit Hyperactivity Disorders in Children: Potential Risk Factors

Abstract

Background

There is conflicting research data regarding the associationbetween ADHD and atopic disorders.

Aim

The objectiveof this study was to investigate the prevalence of asthma among ADHD children.

Methods

Case-control study 520 children with asthma and ADHD and 520 controls aged 5-16 years old controls matched by age and ethnicity. Data based questionnaire, clinical manifestations. Univariate andmultivariate statistical analyses were performed.

Results

The mean agefor ADHD versus control subjects was 9.92±3.3 vs. 10.20±3.4. There was asignificant difference found in the mean values of vitamin Dbetween asthmatic with ADHD (17.25±10.53) and control children (23.91±9.82)(p<0.0001). Out of 520 asthmatic children with ADHD, 18.4% had severe vitaminD deficiency (< 10 ng/ml). Also, the proportion of overweight and obesitywas significantly higher among asthmatic children with ADHD than healthycontrols (p<0.001). The mean values of all biochemistry parameters such asvitamin D, serum iron, serum ferritin, hemoglobin, magnesium, and potassiumwere significantly lower among asthmatic children with ADHD than healthycontrols (p<0.001). The multivariate logisticregression analysis showed that predictors for asthmaticwith ADHDusing were the mean serum vitamin D serum calcium level, physical activity, nervousbehavior, consanguinity, BMI and child order were considered as the mainfactors associated with ADHD after adjusting for age, gender and others.

Conclusion

The presentstudy revealed that vitamin D deficiency was higher in ADHD children comparedto healthy children and supplementing infants with vitamin D might be a safeand effective strategy for reducing the risk of ADHD.