Benefit of iron for Restless Sleep Disorder/ADHD in children

[Joolsg]

mdpi.com/2514-183X/7/3/18

Another fascinating article confirming the benefits ( and safety) of iron infusions for children with restless sleep disorder and/or ADHD.

The required serum ferritin levels are between 50-100. As with adults, there do seem to be 'non responders' to iron therapy.

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Thanks very much for sharing this Jools. Seems to be one of the more comprehensive discussions of pediatric RLS/PLMD and their correlation with ADHD that i have come across. Also interesting to read of restless sleep disorder as a separate sleep disorder.

[WideBody]

This is good news. Doctors don't seemed to be trained in iron deficiencies. The focus is on anemia specifically. The issue of iron insufficiency is not treated until the symptoms become dire. I also think that iron is necessary for the development of emotions for kids. I hope this news makes the news! Thanks again Joolsg.

[Pippins2]

Excellent article Joolsg ,my grandson, aged 5 has restless sleep and PLMD .He had sleep apnea but there's been a massive improvement since he had his very enlarged tonsils removed last year .He hasn't as yet vocalised that he needs to move his legs but definitely moves around alot whilst sleeping. He does show signs of hyperactivity but is able to concentrate so doesn't seem to have the attention deficit element of ADHD so it's watch and wait on ADHD for now .I will print off and keep the article as I am sure it will come in very useful in the future

Thankyou for posting it

Pipps x

[Joolsg in reply to Pippins2]

I hope your grandson can get his serum ferritin above 50. It seems to help so many. It's interesting to see low brain iron is a culprit in ADHD as well. But the doctors will be decades behind, as usual.

[Munroist]

Thank you for this, just low enough level for me to get my sleep deprived head round it. Good explanation of he relationship between iron and dopamine and one of the clearest descriptions of the Circadian variation of iron I've seen yet. I may send this to my GP as good background reading.