• Home
  • Store
    • Newsletter Subscriptions
    • Multimedia Subscriptions
    • Books
    • eBooks
    • ABPN SA Courses
  • CME Center
  • Multimedia
    • Podcast
    • Webinars
    • Blog
  • Newsletters
    • General Psychiatry
    • Child Psychiatry
    • Addiction Treatment
    • Hospital Psychiatry
    • Geriatric Psychiatry
  • Log In
  • Register
  • Welcome
  • Sign Out
  • Subscribe
Home » Vitamin D for ADHD?

Vitamin D for ADHD?

October 30, 2020
Kristen Gardner, PharmD.
From The Carlat Child Psychiatry Report
Issue Links: Learning Objectives | Editorial Information | PDF of Issue
Kristen Gardner, PharmD. Dr. Gardner has disclosed that she has no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.
Review of: Gan J et al, J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol 2019;29(9):670–687

Many children do not respond to or tolerate standard pharmacotherapy, which drives continued interest in supplements for many conditions, including ADHD. Vitamin D plays a role in healthy brain development, and vitamin D deficiency causes neurotransmitter alterations in pathways underlying ADHD pathogenesis. But is there a link between ADHD and lower vitamin D levels? These researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the strength of evidence to date.

The study looked at four randomized controlled trials (n = 256) studying vitamin D supplementation for ADHD (1,000 international units [IU] daily–50,000 IUs weekly) vs placebo as adjunctive to methylphenidate for children (5–18 years). Trial durations lasted 6–12 weeks. The researchers assessed ADHD symptom severity level based on a variety of parent-only rating scales as the primary outcome. The secondary outcomes were adverse effects of supplementation and vitamin D status afterwards.

Adjunctive vitamin D supplementation yielded a small but statistically significant improvement in ADHD total score and inattention, hyperactivity, and behavior subscales. Scores for oppositional behaviors were unchanged except in a subgroup analysis of high-dose vitamin D supplementation (> 2,000 IUs daily). Notably, one study found that children with baseline vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency were more likely to respond to adjunctive vitamin D supplementation. Only one trial reported on adverse events, which were mild and similar between groups. Not surprisingly, vitamin D supplementation increased vitamin D levels and also increased the ratio of patients with sufficient vitamin D levels.

This paper used excellent methodological procedures for conducting systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Unfortunately, the RCTs were of very low to low quality. Randomization procedures were not clear, the total population was less than 400, and statistical methods varied. All of these trials were carried out in the Middle East, but children’s ethnicities were not reported, so generalizability is unclear.

CCPR’s Take
Vitamin D supplementation is a relatively low-risk and low-cost intervention with general health benefits. We recommend you consider trying it both in children with vitamin D deficiency and in combination with standard ADHD treatment. It’s unclear whether similar results would extend to non-methylphenidate stimulants. More research is needed using higher-quality evidence that examines whether vitamin D dose, administration frequency, and baseline status influences outcomes. Do take care to avoid mega-doses, though, as this can disrupt calcium metabolism.
Table: Recommended Vitamin D Doses

Table: Recommended Vitamin D Doses

(Click to view full-size PDF.)
Child Psychiatry
KEYWORDS adhd attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder vitamin-d
Kristen Gardner, PharmD.

Olanzapine for Anorexia Nervosa

More from this author
www.thecarlatreport.com
Issue Date: October 30, 2020
SUBSCRIBE NOW
Table Of Contents
CME Post-Test - Mood Disorders in Children and Adolescents, CCPR, Oct/Nov/Dec 2020
Note From the Editor-in-Chief
Our Role in Community Disasters
Duty to Warn? Debating Antidepressant Suicidality
Managing Video Gaming in Children and Teens
What Do We Do About Dyslexia?
Oral Contraceptive Users and Depressive Symptoms
Vitamin D for ADHD?
Which Medications Have the Lowest Risk of Side Effects?
DOWNLOAD NOW
Featured Book
  • CMFB2e_Cover.png

    Child Medication Fact Book for Psychiatric Practice, Second Edition (2023)

    All the important facts covering child and adolescent psychopharmacology.
    READ MORE
Featured Video
  • therapist_canstockphoto9201097.jpg
    General Psychiatry

    Using SAMe In Clinical Practice with Garrett Rossi, MD

    Read More
Featured Podcast
  • teen_depression.jpeg
    Child Psychiatry

    Assessment of Non-Suicidal Self-Injury in Children and Adolescents

    Learn how to assess and intervene with NSSI, including ideas for supporting autonomy while addressing the behavior.

    Listen now
Recommended
  • Approaches to Autism Intervention

    January 31, 2022
    canstockphoto2240982_child-bubbles_thumb.jpg
  • Currently Available Cannabis Products

    September 1, 2022
  • Interpreting Assessment Discrepancies from Multiple Sources

    October 17, 2022
    ChildAssessment.png
  • Approaches to Autism Intervention

    January 31, 2022
    canstockphoto2240982_child-bubbles_thumb.jpg
  • Currently Available Cannabis Products

    September 1, 2022
  • Interpreting Assessment Discrepancies from Multiple Sources

    October 17, 2022
    ChildAssessment.png
  • Approaches to Autism Intervention

    January 31, 2022
    canstockphoto2240982_child-bubbles_thumb.jpg
  • Currently Available Cannabis Products

    September 1, 2022
  • Interpreting Assessment Discrepancies from Multiple Sources

    October 17, 2022
    ChildAssessment.png

About

  • About Us
  • CME Center
  • FAQ
  • Contact Us

Shop Online

  • Newsletters
  • Multimedia Subscriptions
  • Books
  • eBooks
  • ABPN Self-Assessment Courses

Newsletters

  • The Carlat Psychiatry Report
  • The Carlat Child Psychiatry Report
  • The Carlat Addiction Treatment Report
  • The Carlat Hospital Psychiatry Report
  • The Carlat Geriatric Psychiatry Report

Contact

info@thecarlatreport.com

866-348-9279

PO Box 626, Newburyport MA 01950

Follow Us

Please see our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, Subscription Agreement, Use of Cookies, and Hardware/Software Requirements to view our website.

© 2023 Carlat Publishing, LLC and Affiliates, All Rights Reserved.